Representatives of the Cambodian Defense Ministry lay a wreath at the memorial monument of two Chinese UN peacekeepers in Skun town, southeastern Cambodia's Kampong Cham province, March 28, 2017. As the annual Tomb-Sweeping Day approaches, Cambodia and China on Tuesday jointly commemorated two Chinese UN peacekeepers who were killed in a blast in Cambodia 24 years ago. (Xinhua/Xue Lei)
KAMPONG CHAM, Cambodia, March 28 (Xinhua) -- As the annual Tomb-Sweeping Day approaches, Cambodia and China on Tuesday jointly commemorated two Chinese UN peacekeepers who were killed in a blast here 24 years ago.
Held at a memorial monument in Skun town in southeastern Cambodia's Kampong Cham province, the ceremony was attended by more than 100 people.
After laying wreaths at the monument, Li Ningya, military attache of the Chinese Embassy, said nearly 800 Chinese UN soldiers were deployed in Cambodia on a peacekeeping mission in 1992, and a mid-night explosion killed two soldiers - Chen Zhiguo and Yu Shili - on May 21, 1993.
"They lost their lives for the cause of peace in Cambodia," he said, adding that "their great sacrifices will be in our memories forever."
Cambodian Defense Ministry Undersecretary of State Gen. Khun Vuth said Cambodia and China have held such a ceremony every year to commemorate their great sacrifices for the cause of peace and happiness of the Cambodian people.
"We will never forget their courage and sacrifices," he said at the ceremony. "Their sacrifices have further deepened the fraternal sentiment between Cambodia and China."