China to dispatch 5th peacekeeping force to Mali

SHENYANG, May 11 (Xinhua) -- A 395-strong Chinese peacekeeping force is set to begin missions in Mali on behalf of the United Nations before the end of May.

The troops will be sent to the West African country in two batches, where they will stay for one year.

The troops include military engineers, security personnel and medical staff. This is the fifth Chinese peacekeeping force to be sent to Mali.