China's Miltiary And Diplomatic Presence Is Growing In South Sudan

China has been proactive in diplomatic efforts to pacify South Sudan, where it has invested heavily but where civil war has slashed oil production. Photograph: Joe Chan/Reuters

Voice of America: China Peacekeepers in South Sudan to Focus on Protecting Civilians, UN Says

WNUI Editor: If the focus of the Chinese military presence in Suuth Sudan is to protect civilians ... why is it that the South Sudanese army is well stocked with Chinese anti-aircraft missiles .... Chinese Anti-Aircraft Missiles Appear in South Sudan (Peter Dorrie, War Is Boring).

More News On The Growing Chinese Presence In South Sudan

China Mediates Peace Talks on South Sudan -- VOA
China will not take path of "Western colonists" in Africa -foreign minister -- Reuters
UNMISS Chinese Infantry Peacekeepers To Be Based In Juba -- Gurtong
China assumes international responsibility by dispatching peacekeeping infantry battalion -- CCTV
China to start deployment of 700 peacekeeping troops to South Sudan -- Defense Web
China to send 700 combat troops to South Sudan -- The Guardian
China's motive in South Sudan? -- Al Jazeera
Violence In South Sudan Threatens Chinese Oil Investment -- OilPrice.com

China To Send 700 Soldiers To South Sudan

South Sudan Conflict: China To Deploy Troops For First Time In UN Mission -- IBTimes

Chinese troops are set to be deployed in South Sudan to help UN peacekeepers in the war-torn region, marking the first time China's infantry will have participated in a UK mission.

Previous peacekeeping efforts have been aided by Chinese engineers, doctors and security guard corps, but this is the first for troops, the state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

The 700-strong infantry battalion, comprising 121 officers and 579 soldiers, was approved by President Xi Kingpin and the Central Military Commission.

Read more ....

More News On China Sending 700 Soldiers Under The UN Flag To South Sudan

Chinese troops ready to join Sudan Sudan UN force -- BBC
China sends first infantry battalion for UN peacekeeping -- Global Times/Xinhua
China Sends 700 Peacekeepers to South Sudan -- ABC News/AP
China to Send First UN Peacekeeping Battalion to South Sudan in January -- Sputnik
Oil for peace? China to send 700 peacekeepers to S. Sudan, signs energy deal -- RT

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.

Read more ....

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).

China To Deploy Troops To South Sudan

U.N. Photo/ Alberto Gonzalez Farran

China Sending 1,800 Peacekeepers to South Sudan -- Voice of America

China is sending hundreds of troops to join the U.N. peacekeeping force in war-torn South Sudan, where Chinese companies have major oil interests.

Comments from China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday followed a report in the Wall Street Journal that said China was deploying troops to protect South Sudanese oil fields and the Chinese workers and installations around them.

Responding to reporters' questions, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made no mention of oil or Chinese companies, saying China's "goal is to strictly follow the mandate of the U.N. Security Council and promote construction of the region."

Hua said China has already deployed 1,800 peacekeepers to South Sudan, while a spokesman for the U.N. mission in the country, Joe Contreras, said Beijing planned to send 700 soldiers, none of whom have arrived.

Read more ....

More News On China Deploying Peacekeepers To South Sudan

China Deploys Troops in South Sudan to Defend Oil Fields, Workers -- WSJ
China deploys troops to U.N. force to protect South Sudan oilfields - WSJ -- Reuters
China begins U.N. troops deployment to South Sudan -- UPI
South Sudan: China Intervenes -- Africa Report
U.N. says China not yet deploying peacekeepers in South Sudan -- Reuters
UN: China yet to deploy peacekeepers to South Sudan -- AP
In South Sudan, China Peacemaker Role Marks a First in Its Diplomacy -- Huffington Post