China backs up Liberia
2003-11-19 13:49
Beijing - China has decided to send peacekeepers to Liberia, just a month after it restored diplomatic ties with the war-ravaged African nation, state media reported on Wednesday.
The peacekeepers will assist with United Nations efforts in the country, and will be involved mainly in transportation near the Liberian capital of Monrovia, the Xinhua news agency website said.
A study group left China for Liberia on Wednesday to do an assessment of the situation in the country, Xinhua said.
It did not say how many peacekeepers will be sent from China or when they will begin their duties.
The report said around 240 soldiers and military officials are prepared to leave. They have been selected from a group of 700 soldiers who volunteered to be sent to Liberia.
The troops have been trained in driving and defensive skills and can speak English.
China will also continue providing Liberia with a team of medical personnel and engineers, the report said.
Liberia installed a transitional government last month to lead the state until general elections in 2005 after president Charles Taylor fled to Nigeria in August following 14 years of civil war.
China resumed diplomatic relations last month after more than a decade with no official ties.
China's arch-rival Taiwan earlier cut diplomatic ties with Liberia after learning the African nation was to switch allegiances to China.
The late military dictator Samuel Doe severed diplomatic ties with China in the 1980s and established ties with Taiwan.
Taylor's government continued relations with Taiwan after he was elected president in 1997.
Only 26 countries - most of them poor and desperate for aid money - recognise Taiwan, which Beijing regards as part of its territory waiting to be reunified by force if necessary.
- AFP