China to send 700 troops to South Sudan

Chinese Xinhua News Agency reports that China will deploy a 700-strong infantry battalion in South Sudan at the beginning of 2015. This includes 121 officers and 579 soldiers.

It comes as the war-torn African country signed an agreement(MOU) with Chinese petroleum giant CNPC to boost oil production. 

It’s the first time China has sent infantry troops to take part in a UN mission. Prior to this, China’s peacekeepers mainly consisted of security guards, engineers and medics. Thirteen female infantry soldiers will also join the mission.

The battalion will be equipped with drones, armored infantry carriers, antitank missiles, mortars, light self-defense weapons, bulletproof uniforms and helmets, among other weapons "completely for self-defense purpose