After months of fighting, failed ceasefires, and more fighting, China is acting to protect its assets in South Sudan.  Beijing is sending 700 soldiers to join the United Nations peacekeeping force in the war torn African nation.

South Sudanese officials say the Chinese infantry battalion will protect oil fields and Chinese workers in Unity and Upper Nile states.  The airlift to get them into position was expected to take several days.

Beijing usually doesn’t take sides in regional or internal conflicts outside its borders where it does business.  But China is the biggest investor in South Sudan’s oil industry – and this time has taken a more much active diplomatic role, pushing rival factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar to peace talks.

The new deployment raises that involvement to the military level.  This is the first time China has sent a full battalion to a UN peacekeeping mission.  Under the mandate, the peacekeeping force is allowed to use “all necessary means” to protect civilians and the oil station.  The Chinese soldiers are “combat ready and can fight back”, said South Sudan presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny.