China to monument peacekeepers killed in 1993 Cambodia blast

China is going to build a monument for two Chinese UN peacekeeping soldiers killed in a blast in Cambodia's Cheung Prey district in Kampong Cham province on May 21, 1993.

Chinese Minister of Civil Affairs Li Liguo on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambodian Secretary of State for Defense Moeung Samphan under the presence of Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh towards the construction of the monument.

"Under the MoU, China will construct a monument for its deceased peacekeeping soldiers in Cheung Prey district in eastern Kampong Cham province," Major Gen. Phat Vibolsopheak, chief of the international relations department at Cambodian Defense Ministry, told reporters after the signing ceremony.

"Cambodia will facilitate in the process of the construction and maintain and protect the planned monument," he said.

A midnight explosion happened on May 21, 1993 and killed Chen Zhiguo and Yu Shili, while three others were wounded. Nearly 800 Chinese U.N. soldiers were on mission in Cambodia in 1992.

Cambodian defense officials, Chinese diplomats and military attachs lay wreaths to commemorate the deceased soldiers every year.

Li Liguo is in Cambodia to attend the 4th ASEAN+3 Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development to be held on Saturday in northwestern Siem Reap province.