ZHENGZHOU, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- A contingent of 180 Chinese peacekeepers left Zhengzhou, the capital city of central China's Henan Province, for South Sudan on Monday night on a one-year mission.

The contingent constitutes the first batch of a 700-member peacekeeping infantry battalion dispatched by China, according to Guo Meng, the battalion commander.

Guo said they will be tasked with protecting civilians, UN staff and those undertaking humanitarian jobs, patrol, escort and other security missions.

All members of the battalion have undergone a three-month training session and have passed a test which vindicated their qualifications to fulfill peacekeeping missions in South Sudan.