World’s first rapid response unit

Standby UN peacekeeping force passes test for future missions

Beijing: The world’s first standby, rapid deployment police unit for United Nations peacekeeping missions passed UN tests, paving the way for participation in future missions.

“Today, altogether we have witnessed an excellent performance, a professionally formed police unit,” said Ata Yenigun, chief for selection and recruitment at the UN’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the test evaluator. “We have seen motivated personnel, a fit and healthy staff.”

The tests, which were held at the China Peacekeeping Police Training Center in Langfang, Hebei province on Wednesday, had five parts, including team tactics, VIP escort, vehicle check and crowd control and all 160 members of the unit passed with merit, according to a statement by the Ministry of Public Security.

The unit, established by the ministry, was a response to President Xi Jinping’s commitment during the UN Peacekeeping Summit last year that China would join the new UN peacekeeping capacity readiness system and take the lead in setting up a standby police unit, the ministry said.

Xi also announced during the Peacekeeping Summit that China would build an 8,000-strong standby troop force for UN peacekeeping missions.

Yenigun said another team from the UN will inspect the unit’s equipment in October. After assessment, and if everything goes smoothly, the unit will be ready for rapid deployment, he said. — China Daily/Asia News Network