BEIJING - A first squad of 558 Chinese troops assigned for the United Nations-mandated peacekeeping mission in Liberia departed on Tuesday aboard a chartered plane.

The second and final squad will set off for the west African country 10 days later.

Comprising 275 engineers, 240 members of the infantry and 43 medical staff, all from the Beijing Military Area Command, the troops will assume an eight-month-long mission in Liberia, replacing a previous Chinese peacekeeping team.

Their duties will include constructing roads, bridges and bunkers, repairing houses and airports, maintaining water and electricity supply facilities, transportation, as well as medical treatment and epidemic prevention.

This is the 14th Chinese peacekeeping detachment to Liberia. China started dispatching peacekeepers to the country in December 2003 under UN Security Council Resolution 1509.