UN peacekeeper from China killed, 4 injured in Mali attack

World Today

An injured Chinese peacekeeper is treated in Gao, Mali, May 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Zhao Ziquan)

China on Wednesday condemned the terrorist attack in Mali in which a Chinese U.N. peacekeeper was killed and four others were injured.

CCTV America’s Sean Callebs reports.

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“We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and express our heartfelt sympathy to the wounded and the families of the victims,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council are taking the incident very seriously, Hua said, noting that emergency response and follow-up measures had been launched immediately.

The attack targeted peacekeepers at the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

“It is a grave crime that cannot be tolerated,” Hua said.

China strongly condemns the terrorist attack and has asked the Mali government and the U.N. to investigate the incident immediately, Hua said.

Hua reiterated that the Chinese government firmly supports peace and stability in Africa.

At present, more than 2,400 Chinese peacekeepers are operating in seven African task areas including Mali, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

China will continue to participate in international peacekeeping operations and contribute to peace and security in Africa, Hua said.

The Defense Ministry also condemned the attack.

“The Chinese military is shocked by this terrorist attack,” Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said in a statement.

The Chinese military has set emergency response procedures in motion and China will take all necessary measures to save the injured, and protect the lives and security of all Chinese personnel, Wu said.

As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, China will continue to support U.N. peacekeeping operations, resolutely oppose terrorism in all forms, and safeguard world peace, Wu added.

The attack was the second on U.N. peacekeepers in recent days, with at least five Togolese killed in an attack Sunday by extremists in central Mali.

Islamic extremists have been attacking international peacekeepers and Malian soldiers working to stabilize the north three years after a French-led military campaign ousted jihadists from power.

China in recent years has become a major contributor of troops, police and military experts to U.N. peacekeeping missions, with more than 3,000 currently in the field, according to the United Nations Peacekeeping website. At least 15 have been killed on different missions.

Story by Xinhua and the Associated Press.