China helps train international experts in clearing land mines

Forty people from the armed forces in Cambodia and Laos completed a three-month training session on mine-clearing skills on Friday. The training, including the use of the latest mine-clearing technologies, will keep mine-clearing forces in their countries safe and enable them to conduct missions more efficiently, officials and teachers said.

The training took place from June 9 to Friday at the Army Engineering University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. The university has so far trained 328 demining specialists from Cambodia and Laos, which are among the countries worst affected by land mines and explosive remnants of war.

Luo Xiannan, a teacher at the university, said the use of new demining technologies including lasers, robots and drones has been included in the courses for foreign trainees for the first time.

"We believe new skills and methods in mine-clearing can help the trainees carry out missions more efficiently," Luo said.

Phommy Nonsomphanh, a staff officer of the Lao People's Army specializing in demining, said the courses taught them how to use the most advanced equipment.

"I've mastered the skills to use drones to locate mines, which will significantly reduce casualties of mine-clearing forces in Laos in the future. Also, we have learned about the PLA's protocols in mine-clearance in different situations, which are very practical," Nonsomphanh said.

Ly Thuch, senior minister and first vice-president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, said the training will help upgrade the skills of the Cambodian demining specialists so they can be safe and efficient. Also, they can train others when they return home, which will help the country become mine-free faster.

China's assistance in funding, training and equipment has helped to clear land mines and explosive remnants of war in five provinces in Cambodia. More than 334,000 families have benefited from China-backed projects, Thuch said.

"With China's help, we have found over 700,000 mines and explosive remnants of war. Assistance from China has helped save many lives and reduce casualties," he added.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to international cooperation on humanitarian demining. Since 1998, China has started international demining cooperation and provided assistance to more than 40 landmine-affected countries through means such as financial support, and providing demining equipment and training, said Ma Shengkun, deputy director-general of the arms control department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Demining cooperation has become an important element of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the countries of Cambodia and Laos. China will provide more support in humanitarian demining in the two countries and help them become mine-free," Ma said.