A Mission for Peace — A Record of China's Peacekeeping Forces in South Sudan Faithfully Fulfilling Their Duties
On the occasion of Army Day, tens of thousands of miles from the motherland in South Sudan, Chinese peacekeeping officers and soldiers — blue helmets on their heads, fully armed — are fighting on the front lines of patrol and escort duties, engineering support, and medical assistance, interpreting with sweat and loyalty the duties, mission, and great-power responsibility of Chinese soldiers in the new era.
For Chinese peacekeeping officers and soldiers deployed to South Sudan, this year's Army Day carries exceptional weight — the tenth anniversary of the deaths of peacekeeping martyrs Li Lei and Yang Shupeng has just passed.
On July 10, 2016, serious armed conflict erupted in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The infantry fighting vehicle carrying Li Lei and Yang Shupeng, who were executing a security alert mission, was suddenly struck by artillery shells, and the two men died heroically, fulfilling with their lives their solemn oath to faithfully carry out their mission and safeguard world peace.
"The martyrs' martial spirit and courage have long since flowed into our blood. Standing at our combat posts, we understand all the more how precious peace is. Only by continuing to strive can we offer the best consolation to the fallen heroes." said Lu Jinfang, commander of China's 12th Peacekeeping Infantry Battalion to South Sudan (Juba).
South Sudan continues to face complex security challenges. During the day, patrol detachments move through narrow streets and alleys and bustling markets, closely monitoring the security situation; the women soldiers' squad goes deep among women and children to disseminate knowledge of safety and protection. At night, officers and soldiers conduct uninterrupted security observation using unmanned aerial vehicles and night-vision equipment. Just in June, the infantry battalion completed a long-distance armed escort mission spanning hundreds of kilometers to a high standard, safely escorting a United Nations convoy to its designated location.
South Sudan's climate is scorching hot; daytime temperatures hover around 40 degrees Celsius year-round, and surface temperatures can reach as high as 60 degrees Celsius. Officers and soldiers executing sentry duty must wear more than 20 kilograms of protective gear, and their camouflage uniforms — soaked through with sweat — are encrusted with layer upon layer of white salt stains. "Wearing gear under the blazing sun, you're drenched within less than 10 minutes, but with the blue helmet on your head, responsibility weighs like a mountain — not a single person flinched." said Li Junjie, squad leader of the quick-reaction squad.
Hundreds of kilometers from Juba lies Wau, the location of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Western Sector. Infrastructure there is weak, roads become muddy during the rainy season, and the transportation of humanitarian supplies is severely obstructed. In June of this year, China's peacekeeping engineering and medical detachments entered the Wau refugee camp to carry out humanitarian assistance. Medical personnel examined residents' injuries and distributed medicine; officers and soldiers handed out school bags and other stationery to children, and also taught simple Chinese, explaining the meanings of "China," "peace," and "friend."
According to the UNMISS Engineering Section, China's peacekeeping engineering detachment deployed to South Sudan has successively repaired hundreds of kilometers of roads and erected and repaired multiple bridges and culverts, greatly improving transportation conditions and humanitarian supply access in the mission area. Local residents say that the Chinese engineers "have brought not only smooth roads, but also the hope of surviving."
At the Chinese Level II Hospital on the United Nations base in Wau, military doctors of China's 16th Peacekeeping Medical Detachment to South Sudan (Wau) are equally busy. In addition to being responsible for the routine medical care of United Nations personnel and the handling of sudden public health incidents, they frequently go deep into remote villages to conduct free clinics, and have been warmly called "angels in white from the East" by local residents.
Not long ago, a local resident whose left lower leg had been cut by a machine was rushed to the hospital; after the full efforts of Chinese military doctors, the wound healed well. Medical detachment commander Sun Ming said: "Regardless of nationality or race, saving lives and healing the wounded is our sacred duty. What we bring is not only medical skill, but also the sincere wish of the Chinese people for peace and friendship." Since its establishment in 2012, China's medical team to South Sudan has cumulatively treated more than 70,000 patients, performed more than 1,000 surgical procedures, and conducted health education covering tens of thousands of people.
In March of this year, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Chinese Major General Wu Junhui as UNMISS Force Commander — a high affirmation of China's peacekeeping contributions.
In October 2025, all 700 peacekeeping officers and soldiers of China's 11th Peacekeeping Infantry Battalion to South Sudan were awarded the United Nations "Medal of Honor" (和平荣誉勋章). UNMISS Force Commander Mohan Subramanian stated that the Chinese battalion is highly professional, well-trained, and cohesive, has demonstrated strong accountability and professional capability, and has made outstanding contributions to peace and stability in South Sudan.
Welcoming Army Day at their combat posts, the patrol convoy of China's peacekeeping infantry battalion has set out once again, moving into the morning light of Juba, the "UN" markings on the vehicles shining alongside the Five-Star Red Flag. China's military has gone forth for peace and shouldered responsibility for the world, becoming a key force in United Nations peacekeeping operations through its solid professional quality and strict discipline.