Anti-terror drill held in Chongqing. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Chinese government ordered the evacuation of embassy personnel and two seriously wounded Chinese U.N. peacekeepers last Sunday. The evacuation was due to intense fighting between opposing forces in Juba, the capital city of South Sudan.
About 17 embassy staff, 12 medics and 20 employees of Chinese entities were evacuated. The operation was led by Major General Su Guanghui, acting director of the defence ministry's Peacekeeping Affairs Office.
Chen Ying and Huo Yahui, two critically injured peacekeepers, were flown to Beijing aboard a military medical rescue plane.
Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhao Yali greeted the Chinese nationals at the Entebbe International Airport, 40 km south of the Ugandan capital Kampala.
This is the third Chinese group that was evacuated. In the face of heightened tensions last week, over 300 individuals were also rescued.
They are employees of the China Communications Construction, which is responsible for building the extension of the airport in Juba. All of the evacuees are staying in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya.
The Chinese government is now implementing measures to safeguard its citizens in Juba. The tension is getting worse and the Chinese casualties are increasing.
To date, there are already 300 dead and many are injured. Two Chinese peacekeepers were also killed during an attack to the U.N. compound.
Many fear that the conflict will lead to another civil war in Africa. There is widespread chaos and many South Sudanese citizens are looting foreign aid to survive.
Herve Ladsous, chief of the U.N. peacekeeping team, said that the casualties might even be graver than what is being reported.
"I would believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg given alarming reports indicating over the last few days many civilians were barred from reaching safer grounds, including the compounds of the United Nations," he said.
