The UN has announced that a battalion of Chinese peacekeeping infantry troops expected to deploy this month will be stationed in Juba.
“Once in country, the 700-member battalion will be engaged primarily in the protection of civilians living in or near the Mission’s UN House property, carry out patrols in and around Juba, the escorting of humanitarian relief supplies, and the guarding of UN assets,” the UN said in a press statement sent to news agencies Thursday.
“The incoming battalion will be the first ever deployment of a Chinese infantry battalion in a UN peacekeeping mission,” the statement continued. “This reflects China’s strong commitment to promoting peace and stability for the people of South Sudan.”
The Chinese soldiers are part of an overall increase in peacekeeping presence up to 12,500 total troops authorized by the UN Security Council in December 2013 shortly after the outbreak of civil war.
Roughly 350 Chinese engineers, medical workers, and other non-combat personnel already serve in the UNMISS base in Wau, Western Bahr al Ghazal State, the UN said.
The Chinese troops will be under the command of Sector South commander Senior Col. Ning Ma of China.