BEIJING, Dec. 22 -- Three Chinese workers have been evacuated to safety by China's peacekeeping police as armed conflict has escalated in the northern South Sudan town of Bor, China's Ministry of Public Security said on Sunday.

Liu Shiwen and Li Jingyong, from east China's Shandong Province, were evacuated from Bor to Juba, capital of South Sudan, on Saturday, according to the ministry.

Zhang Yong, a highway engineer who was on a temporary business trip to the town, was found by two Chinese peacekeeping police during their patrol at a United Nations refugee base and transferred to the capital, the ministry said.

Armed conflict broke out about a week ago between forces loyal to President Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar, who was removed from office in July.

The fighting has triggered a humanitarian crisis, forcing foreigners to flee the country and some 20,000 civilians to seek refuge at the UN Compound in Juba.

The conflict has left hundreds of people injured and has displaced thousands more.

The peacekeeping police are the third round of forces to carry out peacekeeping missions in the country at the invitation of the UN since 2011.