The United Nations Mission in South Sudan or UNMISS in a statement CRN obtained on Thursday announced pending deployment of a Chinese infantry battalion to be based and operate out of UNMISS Headquarters in Juba.
It said part of the surge force authorized by the UN Security Council on December 24, 2013 to increase the number of UNMISS military peacekeepers to 12,500.
The Mission said the incoming battalion would be the first ever deployment of a Chinese infantry in a UN peacekeepers and that the deployment reflects China’s strong commitment to promote peace and stability for South Sudanese.
It said the 700 member battalion would engage primarily in protecting properties and civilians living in or near the Mission’s UN House, carrying out patrols in and around Juba, escorting humanitarian relief supplies and guarding UN assets.
The Mission currently has approximately 350 Chinese engineers, medics and other non-combat personnel serving in Wau, Western Bahr El Ghazal State.
The peacekeepers would be commanded by Chinese Senior Commander Colonel Ning Ma.