On April 14, Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng and South Sudan's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Barnaba Marial Benjamin exchanged views on issues like China-South Sudan friendly cooperation, China’s aid to South Sudan and the mitigation of South Sudan’s humanitarian crisis.

Minister Gao Hucheng said that, though China and South Sudan are far apart, the two peoples enjoy a profound traditional friendship. China has been one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with South Sudan since it gained independence in 2011. Since December 2013, the frequent armed conflicts in South Sudan have made its people destitute and homeless. To express the great concern and sympathy on the affected people, Chinese government decides to provide the government of South Sudan with a panel of foodstuff and medicines as humanitarian aid in the hope of easing its humanitarian crisis and satisfying its people’s needs of basic livelihood and medical treatment.

Mr. Gao pointed out that, China has always supported South Sudan to resolve the divergencies through political dialogues, appealed the international community to use various resources to strengthen the humanitarian aid to South Sudan, including food, water and sanitation.

Minister Gao Hucheng said that there are still some Chinese enterprises doing business in the South Sudan, and he hoped that the government of South Sudan could take forceful measures to protect the safety of lives and properties of Chinese people and enterprises, and render more facilitation and guarantee for business production and operation, material transportation and personnel entry and exit.

Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin, on behalf of the President, government and people of South Sudan, extended great thanks to China’s humanitarian aid. He said that the goods and materials would play a positive role in easing the food and medicine shortage in South Sudan.

Mr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin said that the government of South Sudan would made all-out efforts to ensure the safety of lives and properties of Chinese people and enterprises in South Sudan, and would like to work closely with all sides including China to strive for a peaceful and stable South Sudan.