China to send more than 500 troops to Mali to contain Islamist militants
Biggest contribution to UN forces will help to quell militants and strengthen ties with Africa
China has offered to send more than 500 soldiers to the UN force seeking to contain Islamist militants in Mali in what would be its biggest contribution to UN peacekeeping, diplomats said in New York.
The move could be a bid to overcome tensions with the West over the Syria conflict and to strengthen China's relations in Africa, where it is a major buyer of oil and other resources, diplomats and experts said.
The fight against terrorism in Africa should not be fought by African countries alone
France, which intervened in the West African nation in January, hopes to hand over to UN peacekeepers in July. More than 6,500 African troops are in the country, but the UN is looking for at least 3,000 more.
The final number of Chinese troops who will take part has not yet been decided, diplomats said.
"China has offered between 500 and 600 soldiers," one senior diplomat said. "We don't have details yet on what kind of troops they would be providing."
Another UN diplomat confirmed the numbers, saying: "It is a significant move by China."
Both diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity as talks are continuing. At least 155 of the Chinese troops are expected to be engineers, a UN official said.