Breaking news
China has sent for the first time infantry troops for peacekeeping missions in South Sudan 13005151.
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Defence & Security News - China
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| China has sent for the first time infantry troops for peacekeeping missions in South Sudan. | |||
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China's first peacekeeping mission involving combat-ready troops has been deployed to South Sudan. It has held an inauguration ceremony for its headquarters in the capital Juba. This is the first time China has sent peacekeeping infantry to any task zone since it first took part in peacekeeping operations in 1990.
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 The Chinese 700-strong infantry battalion deployed in South Sudan includes 121 officers and 579 soldiers. |
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The new base for the first ever Chinese infantry battalion sent abroad for a UN peacekeeping mission will be home to 700 troops and 350 engineers, medical and other non-combat personnel while they serve in South Sudan, a country deep in crisis since December 2013.
China's ambassador to South Sudan and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan, joined the troops for the base's opening ceremony. "This is the first time China has sent peacekeeping infantry troops to Africa, which shows that China has participated in the African peace and security affairs constructively and that China's peacekeeping task in South Sudan has entered a new period," said Chinese ambassador to South Sudan Ma Qiang. "I am pleased to note that the first ever Chinese infantry battalion in the history of UN peacekeeping which is 700 men and women strong was deployed to south Sudan and part of them are standing in front of us. No doubt in recognition of the very big challenges faced by this country," said Head of UN Mission in South Sudan Ellen Margrethe Loej."This peacekeeping infantry battalion will conduct more missions, such as protecting civilians and UN organs and staff, guarding, patrolling, defending and escorting," said Yang Li, instructor of Chinese Peacekeeping Infantry Battalion. |
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