China's second peacekeeping team to Sudan was set up on Tuesday to be dispatched in January next year.

 

The 435-member team is composed of engineering, transport and medical sections. It would replace the first team sent in June, said military sources.

 

China will send peacekeepers to Sudan for six and half years, the longest UN peacekeeping mission that China has even taken on.

 

Since 1990, nearly 6,000 Chinese peacekeepers have taken part in 16 UN missions. Today, 1,487 Chinese peacekeepers are serving in nine regions, according to the peacekeeping affairs office under the Ministry of Defense.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2006)