The first echelon of China's third batch of the quick reaction force for UN peacekeeping operations in Abyei, a territory contested by Sudan and South Sudan, departed on Monday for a 12-month mission there.
The soldiers left Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport aboard a military aircraft to assume responsibilities from the previous batch.
This quick reaction force is organized by a brigade from the 83rd Group Army of the Central Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
The batch comprises personnel from various specialties, including infantry, reconnaissance, driving, telecommunications, and medical services. Their key tasks will include armed patrols, cordon-and-search operations, and the protection of civilians within the mission area.
According to the deployment plan, the second echelon of the batch is scheduled to be deployed by mid May.
Chinese peacekeepers depart for year-long UN mission in Abyei
Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon arrived in Beijing on Monday afternoon to begin a four-day state visit to China.
The visit at the invitation of President Xi Jinping comes at a time when China-Tajikistan relations are at their historical best.
The two heads of state have maintained close exchanges and strategic communication, and built strong mutual trust and deep friendship. Under their strategic guidance, the China-Tajikistan comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era has achieved steady progress across all fields, reaching new heights with sustained momentum.
The two countries' political mutual trust has reached an unprecedented level, bilateral trade continued to grow, international collaboration yielded fruitful results, and people-to-people friendship has stood the test of time, making the two countries genuine comprehensive strategic partners.
Rahmon is a frequent visitor to China, with this marking his 23rd trip to the country. His most recent visit was in late August and early September 2025, when he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Tajik president arrives in Beijing for state visit
