The United Nations Mission in South Sudan says China will send 700 soldiers to the UN peacekeeping force in the country later this year.

UNMISS Acting Spokesperson, Joseph Contreras, says the soldiers will come to protect civilians.

He denied reports that the peacekeepers were protecting oil fields in South Sudan, though China is the biggest investor in the country’s oil industry.

“Nowhere in the current mandate and mission does it say that peacekeepers will be asked to defend oil industry installations,” said Mr Contreras. “When circumstances arise, our peacekeepers will be called upon to protect civilian oil industry workers but not the refinery or pipeline or storage tanks.”

In a statement to Reuters News Agency, Mr. Contreras denied a report that Chinese troops were already being deployed in the country.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, said China is willing to increase its support for South Sudan peacekeeping in line with Security Council request.