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China starts mine-sweeping mission along Sino-Vietnam border

Xinhua, November 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

Chinese soldiers began their third landmine-sweeping mission along the Sino-Vietnam border on Tuesday, covering 30 townships in six counties in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Composed of more than 400 experienced officers and soldiers from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Chengdu Military Area Command, the troops will clear mines in more than 50 sq km and permanently seal minefield of over 20 sq km.

According to different terrain conditions, the troops will take measures including manual sweeping, exploding mines, setting fire to destroy mines, as well as mechanical and robotic sweeping.

The mission is expected to be finished by the end of 2017.

Yang Guangyue, commander of the PLA Yunnan Provincial Military Area Command, said this mission is more complicated and dangerous, as the existing minefield is in a "tough region" left by previous missions.

The first two landmine sweeping campaigns along the border were conducted from 1992 to 1994 and 1997 to 1999. From 2001 to 2008, Chinese soldiers also cleared mines for a boundary demarcation project. Endit