Chinese peacekeepers have been praised for playing positive role in the transformation of thousands of ordinary South Sudanese in remote areas of the country.
The 1,050-strong peacekeeping battalion has for example, provided treatment for hundreds of people, rehabilitated rural roads and also provided humanitarian assistance to people in need.
“China has sent the largest number of peacekeeping troops to South Sudan. As we speak, 1050 Chinese peacekeepers are fulfilling their mandates in South Sudan. This year alone, the Chinese Battalion of the UNMISS has carried out up to 50 times patrols to places including Mangalla and Terekeka with a total coverage of more than 12,000 km, playing an important role in maintaining peace on the ground,” Ma Qiang, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan said on Tuesday, during celebration to mark the 96th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Juba.
The People’s Liberation Army of China was founded in 1927.
Ma disclosed that the Chinese Engineering Contingent in Wau has completed the construction of 4 main routes (MSRs) of more than 200 kilometers in total.
He added the Chinese Level-II Hospital in Wau has provided medical services to more than 1,000 patients and performed 20 surgeries.
“All the Chinese peacekeepers are actively carrying out humanitarian activities including donating 13,000 pieces if living matterials, stationery, sports goods, and sanitary supplies to more than 10 schools and hospitals in Tali, Terekeka, and Wau,” Ma said.
China has been steadfast in assisting the transitional government of national unity to unify the armed forces as required under the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
Last year, Chinese government through it’s embassy provided vehicles, generators and tents worth 3 million U.S dollars to the South Sudan Peoples Defense Force (SS[PDF).
“The Chinese military has always been a leading force in defending regional and international peace. China has been a staunch supporter of and an active participant in UN peacekeeping operations. It takes up the second biggest share of UN membership fees and peacekeeping assessment. China is also the largest troop-contributing country of UN peacekeeping operations among the 5 permanent members of the Security Council, dispatching over 50,000 Chinese peacekeepers to nearly 30 UN peacekeeping missions,” Ma said.
Victor Atem Atem, Undersecretary in the ministry of defense and veterans affairs, said July 25 carries special significance to South Sudan, as it reflects the youngest nation’s own liberation struggle for independence.
“It is through utmost sacrifice of the people that freedom is attainable, we share experience and in fact people of South Sudan borrowed experience from China to fight for their independence,” Atem said.
Atem said the ministry of defense and veterans affairs and the ministry of national defense of the People’s Republic of China have signed MoU on cooperation treaty, which has enabled the two ministries to exchange visits and share other things of interest.
“Apparently the People’s Republic of China is constructing projects in South Sudan that include building of army barracks, riverine, agricultural projects, hospitals and also military-economic cooperation with the ministry of defense and veterans affairs in particularly building the capacity of the SSPDF engineering unit,” he disclosed.
Rizik Zakaria Hassan, minister of wildlife, conservation and tourism, said the South Sudan transitional government remains grateful to China for having recognized the independence of South Sudan at the on the 9th of July 2011.
