Shangguan Linhong(L), commander of Chinese engineering unit, shakes hands with Jap Oladipo, an AU sector commander in South Darfur, as 135 Chinese peacekeepers arrive at Niyala, capital of South Darfur State of Sudan, Nov. 24, 2007. Vanguards of the Chinese engineering units arrived in the western Sudanese region of Darfur on Saturday to take part in the hybrid peacekeeping force of the United Nations and the African Union (AU). (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    KHARTOUM, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Vanguards of the Chinese engineering units arrived in the western Sudanese region of Darfur on Saturday to take part in the hybrid peacekeeping force of the United Nations and the African Union (AU).

    The 135 Chinese peacekeepers, upon arrival in South Darfur State capital Niyala, were warmly welcomed by UN, AU and Sudanese officials at the Niyala International Airport.

    The Chinese vanguards were also joined in the airport by five Chinese officers who had arrived in Niyala in August in order to receive the equipment of the Chinese peacekeepers, some of which have been transported there since September.

    This is the first batch of the UN peacekeepers arriving in the region to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1769 adopted on July 31, which authorizes the deployment of a 26,000-strong hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur.

The 135 Chinese peacekeepers arrive at Niyala, capital of South Darfur State of Sudan, Nov. 24, 2007. Vanguards of the Chinese engineering units arrived in the western Sudanese region of Darfur on Saturday to take part in the hybrid peacekeeping force of the United Nations and the African Union (AU). (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>