China airlifts its citizens evacuated from conflict-hit South Sudan to Beijing

Chinese government on Tuesday airlifted 25 of its citizens it evacuated over the weekend from the conflict-hit South Sudan back to Beijing for security and safety reasons.

The citizens who were evacuated last Saturday from the capital, Juba to neighboring Uganda aboard a Special chartered plane sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Maj. Gen. Su Guanghui, acting director of the Peacekeeping Affairs Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials who had flown to Juba to handle the aftermath of the attack and killings of the peacekeepers evacuated the citizens.

The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhao Yali oversaw the send off of its country citizens back to Beijing at Entebbe International Airport, about 40 kilometers, south of the capital, Kampala.

The evacuation is part of the emergency measures the Chinese government is taking to protect its citizens in the recent fighting between government troops of President Salva Kiir and forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar in Juba.

A number of other countries and organizations, including the UN have evacuated some of their staff from the world's newest nation as part of security and safety measures following last week's fighting.

Although a fragile ceasefire has held since last Monday, the UN has warned of the possibility of fresh fighting in Juba.

The remains of two Chinese UN peacekeepers, Corporal Li Lei, 22 and Master Sergeant Yang Shupeng, 33 who were killed after a mortal shell hit the armored vehicle they were moving around the UN compound were lifted back on Tuesday.

The UN estimates that at least 300 people were killed and over 10,000 fled their homes after the violence in Juba. Endit