Women ready for first armed UN mission

China is sending an infantry battalion to South Sudan soon. It will be the first time female soldiers - 13 of them - have taken part in an armed operation on a United Nations peacekeeping mission.

The battalion will be stationed in Juba, South Sudan's capital and largest city, under the command of the UN. It has 121 officers and 579 soldiers, selected from the 26th and 54th group armies under the People's Liberation Army's Ji'nan Military Command.

The unit, established in July, has been assigned to protect civilians, UN personnel and humanitarian aid workers. It will also guard and patrol key facilities and defend them in the event of hostile acts.