Mission for Peace: A Record of the Loyalty and Duty of the Chinese Peacekeeping Forces in South Sudan

Xinhua News Agency, Nairobi, August 1 - Title: Mission for Peace - Remembering the Loyalty and Duty of the Chinese Peacekeeping Forces in South Sudan

Xinhua News Agency reporter Yan Yujing

On the occasion of the Army Day, thousands of miles away from the motherland in South Sudan, Chinese peacekeeping soldiers, wearing blue helmets and fully armed, are fighting on the front lines of patrol, engineering support, and medical assistance, interpreting the responsibilities and missions of Chinese soldiers in the new era with their sweat and loyalty.

For the Chinese peacekeeping soldiers in South Sudan, this year's Army Day carries special significance - it marks the tenth anniversary of the sacrifice of peacekeeping martyrs Li Lei and Yang Shupeng.

On July 10, 2016, severe armed conflict broke out in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The infantry fighting vehicle carrying Li Lei and Yang Shupeng, who were on a security mission, was suddenly hit by artillery fire, resulting in their heroic sacrifice, embodying the solemn vow to faithfully fulfill their mission and maintain world peace.

"The bravery and spirit of the martyrs have long been integrated into our blood. Being in the combat position, we understand even more the preciousness of peace; only by continuing to fight can we best honor the heroes," said Lu Jinfang, commander of the 12th Chinese peacekeeping infantry battalion in South Sudan (Juba).

South Sudan currently still faces complex security challenges. During the day, patrol teams navigate through narrow streets and bustling markets, closely monitoring the security situation; female soldiers engage with women and children to promote safety knowledge. At night, soldiers rely on drones and night vision equipment for continuous vigilance and observation. In June, the infantry battalion successfully completed a high-standard armed escort mission spanning hundreds of kilometers, safely escorting a UN convoy to its designated location.

South Sudan has a hot climate, with daytime temperatures often around 40 degrees Celsius, and surface temperatures can even reach 60 degrees Celsius. Soldiers on duty must wear protective gear weighing over 20 kilograms, and their sweat-soaked camouflage uniforms are covered with layers of white salt. "Wearing gear under the scorching sun, I am soaked in less than 10 minutes, but with the blue helmet on, the responsibility is heavy, and no one backs down," said Li Junjie, leader of the quick response team.

Wau, located hundreds of kilometers from Juba, is the site of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Western Sector. Here, the infrastructure is weak, and during the rainy season, the roads are muddy, severely hindering the transportation of humanitarian supplies. In June of this year, Chinese peacekeeping engineering and medical teams entered the Wau refugee camp to carry out humanitarian assistance. Medical personnel examined the injuries of the local people and distributed medicines; soldiers distributed backpacks and other stationery to children and taught them simple Chinese, explaining the meanings of "China," "peace," and "friend."

According to the UNMISS Engineering Office, the Chinese peacekeeping engineering team has repaired hundreds of kilometers of roads and constructed or repaired several bridges and culverts, greatly improving the transportation and access conditions for humanitarian supplies in the mission area. Local residents say that Chinese engineers "not only bring smooth roads but also bring hope for survival."

At the Chinese Level II Hospital in the Wau UN base, the medical personnel of the 16th Chinese peacekeeping medical team in South Sudan are also busy. In addition to being responsible for the daily medical treatment of UN personnel and handling sudden health emergencies, they often go deep into remote villages to provide free medical consultations, affectionately referred to by local residents as "Eastern Angels in White."

Not long ago, a local person was urgently sent to the hospital after suffering a machine injury to his left calf. After the Chinese doctors provided full treatment, the wound healed well. Medical team leader Sun Ming said, "Regardless of nationality or ethnicity, saving lives and healing the wounded is our duty. What we bring is not only medical skills but also the sincere wishes of the Chinese people for peace and friendship." Since its establishment in 2012, the Chinese medical team in South Sudan has treated over 70,000 patients, performed more than 1,000 surgeries, and conducted health education covering tens of thousands of people.

In March of this year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Major General Wu Junhui of China as the commander of the UNMISS forces, which is a high recognition of China's peacekeeping contributions.

In October 2025, all 700 peacekeeping soldiers of the 11th Chinese peacekeeping infantry battalion in South Sudan will be awarded the UN "Peace Honor Medal." UNMISS Commander Mohan Subramaniam stated that the Chinese battalion is very professional, well-trained, and cohesive, demonstrating excellent responsibility and professional capability, making outstanding contributions to peace and stability in South Sudan.

On the combat position, we welcome Army Day. The patrol convoy of the Chinese peacekeeping infantry battalion sets off once again, facing the dawn of Juba, with the "UN" insignia and the five-star red flag shining together on the vehicle. The Chinese military marches for peace, takes on global responsibilities, and, with solid professional quality and strict discipline, has become a key force in UN peacekeeping operations.