In the scorching heat of South Sudan, where temperatures at guard posts could reach a blistering 60 degrees Celsius, Captain Tong Fan carries 20kg of gear on her shoulders. She is one of the 13 women serving in China's peacekeeping infantry battalion in Juba, and they are redefining what it means to keep peace in fractured communities. That irreplaceable role often unfolds in subtle yet profound ways. While patrolling or stationed at checkpoints, Tong and her female colleagues become unexpected pillars of trust, especially for women and children affected by violence. For Tong, the blue helmet she wears symbolizes more than protection or duty. Over the 35 years since it first joined UN peacekeeping operations, China has dispatched over 50,000 peacekeepers to more than 20 countries and regions, undertaking 26 UN missions. Through heat, hardship, and moments of human connection, Tong and other women like her are not only serving on the frontlines of peacekeeping, they are helping write its next chapter, one built on listening, trust, and the quiet power of presence. Shotlist: Juba, South Sudan - Released on Oct 12, 2025: 1. Various of Chinese peacekeepers training, boarding vehicle; 2. Various of vehicle moving, female Chinese peacekeeper Tong Fan aboard vehicle; 3. Road, traffic; 4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Tong Fan, Chinese peacekeeper, 11th Chinese Peacekeeping Infantry Battalion to South Sudan (starting with shots 2-3): "Due to a natural affinity, women can be better listeners. I believe this is an irreplaceable role we play in peacekeeping missions."; 5. Chinese peacekeeper holding gun while on patrol; 6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Tong Fan, Chinese peacekeeper, 11th Chinese Peacekeeping Infantry Battalion to South Sudan (ending with shot 7): "On mission, we carry about gear weighing around 20kg, which is a major challenge in the extreme heat. Between 1:00 and 3:00 pm, the temperature at our guard post was once measured to reach 60 degrees Celsius or higher."; 7. Various of Tong, other Chinese peacekeepers on patrol, vehicles; 8. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Tong Fan, Chinese peacekeeper, 11th Chinese Peacekeeping Infantry Battalion to South Sudan (ending with shot 9): "This uniform already represents strength. Personally, I want to do more humanitarian work. When women or children experience violations of their rights, they are more willing to come to us women."; 9. Various of Tong, other Chinese peacekeepers interacting with local children; 10. Various of Tong, another other female Chinese peacekeeper dancing; locals watching their performance; 11. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Tong Fan, Chinese peacekeeper, 11th Chinese Peacekeeping Infantry Battalion to South Sudan (starting with shot 10/partially overlaid with shots 12-13): "This dance is also a way to wish them well. When they're covered in wounds and can't express themselves, they'll pat your shoulder, pointing here, and here, trying to tell you where it hurts. They can't change their environment, but our arrival gives them hope. No matter what kind of medicine we bring or what effects it might have, we are here." [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 12. Various of Chinese peacekeepers helping locals addressing wounds; 13. Various of Chinese peacekeepers teaching locals to do Chinese calligraphy [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]; 14. Various of blue helmet, Chinese peacekeepers on patrol; 15. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Tong Fan, Chinese peacekeeper, 11th Chinese Peacekeeping Infantry Battalion to South Sudan (starting with shot 14/ending with shot 16): "The blue helmet we wear or our heads may be just a helmet, but to me, it carries great significance. It's not just the physical weight, but the weight of our mission. When you see the blue helmet, it's like a cartoon of the 13 of us female soldiers with a caption that reads, 'Women in blue helmets come for peace'."; 16. Chinese female peacekeepers mobilizing, cartoon poster in background showing their images. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]