A Chinese peacekeeper wounded in a terrorist attack at a camp of MINUSMA is sent to hospital in Dakar, Senegal, on Wednesday, June 1, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]

China has strongly condemned and urged an immediate investigation into an attack that targeted UN peacekeepers in Mali on Tuesday.

One Chinese peacekeeper was killed and four others wounded in a terrorist attack at a camp of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, or MINUSMA.

The North African branch of the Al-Qaida has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said the murderers must be brought to justice, “This is a terrorist attack against UN peacekeepers. It is an intolerable serious crime. China strongly condemns the attack and we request that the Malian government and the UN instantly launch an investigation into this terrorist attack, bring the murderers to justice, and work in close cooperation with the Chinese government to manage the aftermath."

Preliminary reports show a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device was detonated at the UN mission camp.

The Chinese government launched an emergency response immediately after the attack.

At the same time, Hua noted that China's commitment to the peace and stability of the world as well as Africa will not change, "China will continue to actively participate in the UN peacekeeping missions and make our contributions for the practice of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the safeguard of Africa's peace and stability."

MINUSMA was established by the UN Security Council in April 2013.

In the latest development, the UN Security Council "condemned in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack.

In a statement, the 15-nation UN body called on the Government of Mali to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Also on Tuesday, the same terrorist group carried out another assault on the U.N. antimining operation in Mali, which left two Malian security guards and an international expert killed.

The latest deadly attacks on UN peacekeepers in Mali were the second within a couple of days, in which five UN peacekeepers from Togo were killed.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is outraged by the attacks, "The Secretary General is concerned by the recent series of attacks directed against the U.N. peacekeeping mission, which have killed 12 peacekeepers and injured many more in May alone. He reiterates that nothing can excuse these acts of terrorism against men and women who are serving the United Nations to help the people of Mali restore stability and peace across the country."

Mali's desert north has served as a stronghold of the rebels since a military coup struck Mali in March 2012.

Although French forces seized control of key towns following the 2013 uprising, Islamist militants remain active, claiming responsibility for attacks beyond Mali's borders.