China provides mine clearance training to Cambodian soldiers

A team of 12 Chinese military experts on Thursday started offering a six-week mine clearance course to 52 Cambodian peacekeeping force.

The training is being held at the Institute for Peacekeeping Forces, Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Senior Colonel Wang Ximao, military attache of the Chinese Embassy, said it was the second time that Chinese experts trained Cambodian soldiers in mine clearance. The first course was conducted last December.

Cambodian trainees will be taught about demining theories, on- field demining practices and mine explosion rescue.

Lt. Gen. Sem Sovanny, director-general of the Institute, said the course was very useful to build up capacity for Cambodian forces and expressed gratitude to China for supporting Cambodia in this humanitarian task.

"With experienced Chinese trainers and modern mine clearance equipment and devices, I believe that the capacity of Cambodian deminers will be improved," he said. "Through the course, friendly relations between the two armies will become closer."

Cambodia is one of the countries suffering from landmines and explosive remnants of war.

According to the Cambodian Mine Action Authority, the country recorded 62 landmine accidents in the first ten months of 2013, leaving 21 people dead and 74 others injured.

Heng Ratana, director general of the Cambodia Mine Action Center, has said that about 3.1 million landmines and unexploded ordnances have been removed and destroyed so far, and the country is seeking about 50 million U.S. dollars a year until 2020 to entirely get rid of all types of anti-personnel mines.