United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), or MONUC in its codename, began in 1999 under the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1258 of August 1999. In 2002, by Resolution 1445 the Security Council authorised the increase of military personnel from 4,200 to 8,500. Upon the request by the U.N., the Chinese government and Central Military Commission approved to contribute to the mission by dispatching a detachment of troops.

The Chinese peacekeepers arrived in the DRC in April 2003. This was the first time that China contributed to the U.N. peacekeeping mission since it sent 800 engineer troops to Cambodia in 1992. It was also the first time that China deployed its military personnel to Africa. China currently deploys a 175-man engineer company and a 43-man medical team in the DRC. These troops are based at Bukavu, a city in eastern DRC.

Last update: 9 February 2009