According to the Ministry of National Defense, China will soon send a 700-strong infantry regiment to the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.
Final preparations for departure are under way. This will be the first time China will send a combat unit to a UN peacekeeping operation. Previously, it was mainly security guards, engineers and doctors.
Final preparations for departure are under way. This will be the first time China will send a combat unit to a UN peacekeeping operation. Previously, it was mainly security guards, engineers and doctors.
China will send a 700-peacekeeper infantry battalion to South Sudan for a United Nations peacekeeping mission, a Defense Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
"At the invitation of the UN, and with the approval of the State Council and Central Military Commission, China will send a 700-person infantry battalion to undertake a peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. The battalion will be equipped with light weapons for self-defense, armored personnel carriers, helmets and bullet-proof vests. Their mandate is to protect civilians, UN staff, and humanitarian workers, and to perform patrol and security duties," Chinese Ministry Of National Defense spokesman Geng Yansheng said.
South Sudan is caught up in violence and chaos. And South Sudan is also an oil supplier for many countries. The UN has approved plans to nearly double the number of peacekeepers there. And China wants to better protect its interests overseas.
"Chinese peacekeepers will strictly abide by international law and stick to their mandate. They will provide protection to the local people, as well as personnel from other countries engaged in peaceful activities in the area, including economic development," Geng said.
China’s international peacekeeping missions started in the 1990s. More than 22 ,000 Chinese have served in 23 UN missions. Nearly 2,000 personnel are deployed overseas, mainly in Africa. Nine officers and soldiers have lost their lives in the line of duty. The country is now the biggest contributor among all permanent members of the UN Security Council.
During an inspection at the Peacekeeping Center in Beijing in June 2013, the UN chief asked China to do even more.
"China is a rising country in terms of political profile and economic development that also requires responding responsibility for world peace and security. In that regard, I count on China’s continuing contribution," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said.
China’s mission in South Sudan might be seen as a departure from its traditional policy of non-interference. The new challenge for the PLA could mean more sacrifices.
China’s role in international peace missions has grown over the last two decades. And though 700 ground troops cannot bring too much change in the situation in South Sudan, it is a highly symbolic move that the army is taking in shaping its new active role on the world stage.
South Sudan is caught up in violence and chaos. And South Sudan is also an oil supplier for many countries. The UN has approved plans to nearly double the number of peacekeepers there. And China wants to better protect its interests overseas.
"Chinese peacekeepers will strictly abide by international law and stick to their mandate. They will provide protection to the local people, as well as personnel from other countries engaged in peaceful activities in the area, including economic development," Geng said.
China’s international peacekeeping missions started in the 1990s. More than 22 ,000 Chinese have served in 23 UN missions. Nearly 2,000 personnel are deployed overseas, mainly in Africa. Nine officers and soldiers have lost their lives in the line of duty. The country is now the biggest contributor among all permanent members of the UN Security Council.
During an inspection at the Peacekeeping Center in Beijing in June 2013, the UN chief asked China to do even more.
"China is a rising country in terms of political profile and economic development that also requires responding responsibility for world peace and security. In that regard, I count on China’s continuing contribution," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said.
China’s mission in South Sudan might be seen as a departure from its traditional policy of non-interference. The new challenge for the PLA could mean more sacrifices.
China’s role in international peace missions has grown over the last two decades. And though 700 ground troops cannot bring too much change in the situation in South Sudan, it is a highly symbolic move that the army is taking in shaping its new active role on the world stage.
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