By IANS,
Juba : China Saturday established its diplomatic relations with the Republic of South Sudan and vowed to provide assistance at the best of its ability to develop the world’s newest nation, Xinhua reported.
South Sudan became the 193rd country recognised by the UN and 54th UN member state in Africa early Saturday.
Jiang Weixin, a special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao, signed the joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations with South Sudan’s Foreign Minister Deng Alor Kol in Juba, the capital the newly formed nation, Xinhua reported.
China would strengthen its political contact with South Sudan, provide assistance at the best of its ability, and expand pragmatic cooperation in an all-round way, said Jiang at the opening ceremony of Chinese embassy.
“The establishment of diplomatic ties and the official operation of the embassy have brought the relations between the two countries to a new stage,” he said.
“We sincerely hope South Sudan and Sudan would be good neighbours, partners and brothers forever,” he said.
On Friday, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution in order to set up a new mission to South Sudan.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was among international dignitaries attending the celebrations, along with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Russia’s special envoy to Africa Mikhail Margelov.