In the sun-scorched landscapes of South Sudan, a convoy of armored vehicles bearing UN insignia rumbles toward Terekeka – a strategic town connecting volatile regions in the world's youngest nation. CGTN's exclusive access to China's UN peacekeeping infantry battalion reveals the complex realities of maintaining security in a country where 2 million remain displaced after years of conflict.
During the 48-hour patrol observed by our team, soldiers negotiated multiple checkpoints manned by various armed groups while transporting vital supplies. 'Every movement requires coordination with local authorities and community leaders,' explained Battalion Commander Li Wei, whose unit has mediated 17 localized disputes this year alone.
The deployment forms part of China's growing role in UN peacekeeping, with over 2,500 Chinese personnel currently serving in global missions. In South Sudan's Upper Nile region, engineers from the Chinese mainland recently completed a 300km road network critical for humanitarian access.
While meeting with Terekeka's county commissioner, peacekeepers emphasized community engagement strategies that have enabled the reopening of 8 schools since their deployment began. However, challenges persist – the battalion's medical team reported treating 23 conflict-related injuries last month.
As the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) enters its second decade, such patrols underscore the delicate balance between security provision and nation-building. With rainy season complicating logistics, the Chinese contingent's mobile clinics and infrastructure projects continue drawing attention from international observers tracking peacekeeping effectiveness.
