In June, 2003, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs dispatched a special team to postwar Iraq to reestablish its embassy. Ambassador Sun Bigan, who headed up the team, still becomes animated when recalling the risky assignment.
Before the United States launched the war on Iraq, the entire Chinese embassy staff in Iraq was withdrawn and the embassy was shut down. The building was severely damaged in the war and was no longer usable for working or living. However, for the mutual interests of both China and Iraq, diplomatic ties must be maintained and diplomats must be returned at the end of the formal hostilities. "Although Iraq was still in turbulence and the situation unclear, the Chinese government decided to send the team to re-establish the embassy."
"The time schedule was incredibly tight. We began our preparation work around the beginning of the June, and we set out for Jordan at the end of the month. In July, together with three other team members, we entered Iraq, worked for nearly a month, and then returned to Jordan. In February, 2004, after six armed-policemen joined us in Jordan, our 13-member team was finally formed and remained until some returned to China in September, 2004. Then we returned to Baghdad," Sun said.
The team overcame enormous difficulties in the still dangerous country. Since the former embassy was destroyed in the war, the temporary office of the embassy was set up in Baghdad's Al-Mansour Hotel.
Around 9 p.m. local time, July 9, 2004, seven diplomats and six armed-policemen hung the national flag of the People's Republic of China in an ordinary room of Al-Mansour Hotel, and the Chinese Embassy was officially reinstituted in Iraq. Although a simple ceremony, it was indeed a hard-earned and appreciated moment for the whole team.
"In this mission, are you the first diplomat with bodyguards in the history of People's Republic of China?" Sun was asked.
"What you refer to as bodyguards are actually armed-policemen and it is indeed true that I am the first diplomat accompanied by armed-policemen in the People's Republic of China's diplomatic history. These six armed-police were selected from the Armed Police Force Beijing Contingent and they have done quite a good job." A part of the special anti-terrorist unit of the Armed Police Force Beijing Contingent, all six were expert marksmen, with strong abilities in martial arts, arrest techniques and training in chemical weapon and bombing precautions.
After the team arrived at the border of the Iraq, the police changed into military uniforms and the entire team put on bulletproof vests. The vehicles were organized into groups and numbered. Each armed-policeman took on his particular assignment to provide quick response in case of emergency. Security checks on the way were frequent. There were even special precautions taken when fueling the vehicles and Sun Bigan was constantly with a policeman at his side. "These armed-policeman indeed have done a very good job," Sun said.
An Unforgettable Experience----Sleeping with the Roar of Guns and Waking up to the Thunder of Artillery
Recounting his experience, Sun explained that a 1,000-
kilometer highway from Jordan to Baghdad, half of which was in Iraq, was so dangerous it was called "the road to death." In particular, the stretch from the city of Fallujah to Ramadi was a consistent target of attack. It was here that two Chinese hostage incidents occurred.
Iraq remained in chaos. Gunplay, roadside bombings, suicide bombings, kidnappings and decapitations had not ceased, and foreigners were very much at risk. "Dangers are everywhere. Many times we have had narrow escapes. One incident happened during our official visit to Green Zone, where security was very strict. We were supposed to cross through three security checkpoints. We had crossed the first and second, and just at the moment we were heading for the third, an explosion occurred at the first checkpoint. Another time, when we were waiting in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq for a diplomatic function, an explosion occurred in a Kurdish administrative post just opposite the Ministry across the street. The distance between the explosion site and where we were was less than 100 meters. According to news reports afterwards, there were 17 people killed in the explosion."
"Going out is dangerous, but staying in is not safe either. Al-Mansour Hotel, where we lived, was just at the end of a street where attacks were frequent. Twice there were bombings right in front of the hotel. But since we all lived and worked there, we got accustomed to the sound of tanks, guns and helicopters. You could say that we slept in the roar of the guns and woke to the thunder of artillery."
"You are indeed in a perilous situation. But it is said that you didn't wear bulletproof clothes under your suit when going out. Is that true?" Sun was asked.
"Actually, I still wear it on ordinary occasions. I wore it on my two trips to Baghdad and when I inspected our destroyed former embassy. However, I never wear bulging bulletproof clothes at any formal official occasion. I represent the People's Republic of China and I must hold up national honor and the image of Chinese diplomats, which I think is even more important than my own life. Of course, we don't take unnecessary risks. Other people of our team, such as the armed-policemen and drivers, are all in bulletproof clothes."
The Hard Work of Diplomacy
In spite of illness, the more than 60-year-old Sun readily took his assignment. Having parents both over 80, Sun could be enjoying a relaxed life after retirement if not for this mission.
"Is it true you brought some quick-acting heart reliever with you?"
"I felt it was important since I knew I might be in the special group. Diplomats should accept the tasks assigned by their country without the least hesitation. When I told my family I would go to Iraq, they were quite supportive and considerate, though they were also perfectly aware that there would be great danger ahead. As family members of someone with a special profession, they have become accustomed to many emergent situations. I had coronary heart disease and I knew that I couldn't get adequate medical treatment in a turbulent country such as Iraq. So I brought almost all my commonly used medicine in case of emergency."
Having a long history of diplomatic service, Sun has his own feelings towards his work. In his view, diplomatic work is sacred and glorious. However, the profession is not always like what people think - wearing suits with an easy grace, receiving and seeing off distinguished guests. It is not that simple. And sometimes diplomats must face difficulties and dangers beyond imagination. The risks are not only limited to turbulent regions, such as Palestine, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Diplomats also have to work at the frontier of natural calamity-stricken areas such as the regions hit by tsunamis last December. Moreover, because of the special nature of the diplomatic work, news concerning many negotiations cannot be released to the public.
Personal Profile: Graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University in 1965, Sun Bigan was sent to Damascus University in Syria for further studies. From 1990 to 2002, he was the ambassador of China to Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran in succession. In June, 2003, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China set a special team to re-establish the Chinese embassy in Iraq. Sun was appointed as its head.
(China Pictorial May 27, 2005)
