KAMPONG CHAM, Cambodia, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Tuesday held a commemorative ceremony for two Chinese UN peacekeeping martyrs who lost their lives in a peacekeeping operation in the kingdom 31 years ago.

Held at the memorial monument of the two martyrs in Skun town in southeastern Kampong Cham province, the event was attended by Gen. Phuong Siphan, secretary of state of the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense, and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian, as well as hundreds of local authorities, soldiers and students.

At the event, participants paid homage and laid wreaths to honor the two martyrs, namely Chen Zhiguo and Yu Shili, who were killed in a blast in 1993 during China's peacekeeping efforts and aid operations to Cambodia.

Siphan recalled that about 800 Chinese UN peacekeepers were on a peacekeeping operation in Cambodia in 1992 when the Southeast Asian country was still at war, and a midnight explosion on May 21, 1993, claimed the two soldiers' lives.

"The two heroic Chinese peacekeeping martyrs had sacrificed their lives for the cause of peace in Cambodia," he said. "Although they had passed away, their spirits will live forever."

The commemoration was held as the Qingming Festival, a traditional Chinese festival to honor ancestors and remember the dead, draws near.

Wang said the two Chinese martyrs lost their lives for the cause of peace, stability and happiness of the Cambodian people.

"Their noble, peace-loving and responsible souls are still shining to this day," he said.

He added that their sacrifice had significantly contributed to forging a stronger bond of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and armies. Enditem

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