Chinese peacekeepers attend the commencement ceremony of the construction project.

BEIJING, Mar. 3 -- The 16th Chinese Peacekeeping Horizontal Engineering Company to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) recently commenced construction on the main supply route connecting Kuajok, Turalei and Abiemnhom.

Stretching approximately 150 kilometers, the route is a vital logistical corridor within South Sudan. It connects multiple mission sites and populated areas and serves as a lifeline for United Nations humanitarian assistance, material transport, medical evacuation, and routine patrol missions. Due to prolonged conflict, natural erosion, and heavy vehicle traffic, many sections of the road have sustained serious damage, including collapsed roadbeds and impaired drainage systems. Preliminary surveys indicate that more than 100 kilometers of the route have damaged pavement, while 15 bridges and culverts require repair. During the rainy season, the road becomes severely muddy, and in the dry season, it is plagued by dust storms. In some sections, continuous deep potholes have rendered passage extremely difficult, with traffic accidents such as vehicle rollovers occurring from time to time, directly affecting the basic livelihoods of residents along the route.

Upon receiving the mission, the Chinese peacekeeping company formulated a detailed construction plan. The project is scheduled to last 47 days, with 38 personnel deployed and 16 vehicles of various types mobilized to carry out the repair work.

Since its deployment to the mission area, the 16th Chinese Peacekeeping Horizontal Engineering Company has completed more than 20 engineering support tasks, including construction of Wau Airport, the Wau water pumping station, and camp infrastructure development.

Engineering vehicles maneuver to the construction site.

Construction equipment carries out repair operations.

Construction equipment carries out repair operations.