A Military Quagmire For China In South Sudan?

Is China Entering Its Own Military Quagmire Abroad? -- Kevin B. Sullivan, The Week

Chinese troops are being deployed in a restive, oil-rich region in a far-off continent. What could possibly go wrong?

Word came earlier this month that one of the world's major powers is preparing to deploy troops to a restive and resource-rich part of the globe in order to protect civilian life and oil facilities.

But no, this isn't the U.S. in Iraq. The superpower in question is China, and the region is East Africa.

The Wall Street Journal reported recently that Beijing had deployed 700 troops to South Sudan under the auspices of the United Nations. While Chinese troops have embarked on UN missions before, these peacekeepers will be specifically protecting Chinese citizens and oil fields in a country in the throws of a violent civil war. Thousands of South Sudanese have been killed and over a million displaced by fighting between rebels and government forces, both of which are backed by rival ethnic groups.

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Previous Post: China To Deploy Troops To South Sudan

My Comment: 700 Chinese soldiers in South Sudan is not a quagmire .... but it is sign that China is preparing it's military to become more involved in the affairs of other countries. On a side note .... it is interesting that China is now the largest contributor of soldiers to UN peace keeping missions (see above video).