China to send 400 peacekeepers to Malie

China will send peacekeepers to Mali and it is the first time that China’s armed forces dispatch security forces for peacekeeping mission, a Ministry of National Defense official said on Thursday.

At the request of the UN, the Chinese government will dispatch nearly 400 servicemen to join the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), including engineering, medical and guard teams, Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said at a monthly press briefing.

Yang said there is no so-called combat forces in UN peacekeeping forces, responding to a reporter’s question.

The main purpose of the UN peacekeeping forces is to help relevant countries to restore and maintain peace, prevent wars and monitor ceasefires, Yang said, noting that peacekeeping personnel should not be directly involved in military conflicts in host countries.