More Chinese peacekeepers arrive in South Sudan

Juba, December 5, 2016 (SSNA) — China has resumed the deployment of its 700-peacekeeping infantry battalion to South Sudan, dispatching 120 of them to the troubled east African nation on Monday, the South Sudan News Agency has learned.

Beijing says its troops participated in a three-month peacekeeping course and that the purpose of their duty is to engage with civilians’ protection, support UN and humanitarian personnel, patrols, among others, adding that remainder of its peacekeeping soldiers will follow in five separate groups.

China first indicated its interest in South Sudan UN peacekeeping mission in September 2014 and began deployment of its first peacekeeper unit last year.

China is the single largest foreign oil investor in South Sudan.