Although she is known as the first native Tianjin policewoman selected by the United Nations to keep peace in East Timor, Ms Sun Guixin, does not want the media to pay special attention to her as she feels she is just a normal policewoman, doing her job.

Sun Guixin, 27 years old, graduated from The People's Public Security University, majoring in PC Application. Sun worked at the Tianjin Frontier Inspection Security Station for four years where she and her colleagues successfully developed a PC data system.

In the early 2002, Sun Guixin became one of seven women police officers out of a group of 40 specially selected Chinese police officers assigned as peacekeepers in East Timor. (More than 3,000 policemen from 50-odd countries all over the world have been assigned to the peacekeeping mission to date.) Their assignment will last one year, and their mission is to support the government, set up the security system, and manage the social method.

Without doubt, it is no easy task to pass the exam to become one of these special peacekeeping police officers. First, the candidates must be proficient in English, with better-than-good driving ability. Suffice to say, not many get very far. For example, four of Sun's colleagues who entered the exam, failed.

This exam consists of three main sections--English, Shooting and Automobile skills. Anyone who fails the first part will lose his or her chances to continue forward. Although Sun Guixin passed the CET-6 when she studied at university, she did not have confidence with her English skills since she had not studied English for four years after graduation.

"I can do as well or better than anyone else."Ó This is Sun's motto, and she was true to her own words. After she took her Oral English (writing and reading) exam, Sun was accepted to go on to the next step. After that, Sun Guixin soon learned the English part of the exams, was the most difficult.

Among her training was learning to drive differently. As we are used to driving on the left, Sun was confronted with a challenge-to learn how to drive on the right. She had to put more effort into this task than she had imagined. But she succeeded and mastered the task.

From March 5th 2002 to April 30th, together with 39 other candidates, Sun Guixin attended a closed-training session in Langfang (city between Tianjin and Beijing) where the China Peace Police Training Center is located. In order to accustom themselves to different kinds of conditions, the candidates had to expose themselves to the chilly March weather of Northern China. There, they were forced to live in the fields for one week, and the strong wind during that period were unforgettable. She said the condition was very hard, and they had no place to wash or shower. And every night, the wind howled so loudly they had diffculty sleeping. But, of course they all persevered.

As this goes into print, Sun Guixin has begun her mission and headed for Australia, the first destination of her remarkable trip. All that she knows is that upon arrival to her new assignment in East Timor, the new policemen and women will find it difficult to adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings, and must quickly learn the local customs and dialects.

Being the only child in her family, Suns mom shows extra care in preparing her daughter for her assignment in East Timor. And both her mom and dad (a retired policeman) support Sun Guixin's decision and are very proud of her.

In spite of knowing almost nothing about her new position and destination, Sun is confident enough that she can face any challenges. Good luck, to you, Sun Guixin!

Our thanks to Ms Yang Li, the Press lady at Tianjin Frontier Inspection Security Station.