Foreign and Military Affairs

Chinese riot police maintain order in Haiti

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-16 15:45

SANTO DOMINGO - For over two months, Chinese riot police have been working tirelessly under adverse conditions to maintain order in the quake-devastated Haitian capital Port-au-Prince.

Chinese riot police were assigned by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) to work in the central part of the capital, which, two months after the deadly 7.3-magnitude earthquake, is still in ruins: The homeless are living in tents, the streets are strewn with debris, and there is occasional violence and robbery.

However, life in the city's political center is gradually returning to normal thanks to the efforts of the dedicated and professional Chinese riot police, an officer with the MINUSTAH said. He noted that violent crimes and robberies are now under control and that people have begun doing business in the area's markets.

The Chinese riot police deployed as many as 75 people every day to guard sites such as the quake-torn presidential palace as well as Haiti's tax department and some food distribution stations. Meanwhile, they cooperate with local police to track down escapees, solve criminal cases and distribute relief goods.

During the daytime, when the temperature in the Caribbean country can be as high as 40 degrees Celsius, the Chinese police officers have to walk through roads scattered with debris, braving the baking sun. They patrol noisy open fairs and checking points in the city's main streets. At night, they walk along the dirty streets in pitch darkness -- all to ensure the stability of the disaster-ridden Port-au-Prince.

The Haitian capital has witnessed loud protests since the devastating earthquake on January 12, which killed more than 200,000 people and left 1.2 million more homeless.

The Chinese riot police were also sent to several demonstration sites to maintain order. Thanks to them, not a single demonstration deteriorated into a riot. And in relief goods distribution centers, those same riot police show their warm and friendly side when performing their duty.

Two months since a 7.3-magnitude rocked Port-au-Prince, China has sent 5,500 riot police there. In cooperation with local police, they captured 55 escapees, solved four murder cases and dug out six bodies of quake victims using their bare hands.