Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on Tuesday China will continue to develop friendly cooperation with South Sudan, taking its independence and the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic relations as a new start.

Yang made the remarks when meeting with the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit during his official visit to South Sudan following a two-day official visit to Khartoum.

He said China attaches great importance to the development of relationship with South Sudan, and will continue to support its efforts in maintaining sovereignty and independence.

The minister said that China will also support South Sudan to play its own role in the United Nations and other international and regional organizations, and will continue to provide aid to South Sudan within its own capability.

He stressed that the two sides should enhance cooperation in the fields of oil, mining, agriculture and infrastructure construction, and China will continue to help South Sudan promote development and improve people's living conditions.

Kiir said he welcomes Yang as the first Foreign minister from a permanent member country of the UN Security Council to visit South Sudan.

He said that there is a great potential for the cooperation between South Sudan and China, as all fields are under development in the newly-established country.

The president said that there are no problems between South Sudan and China, and South Sudan always took China an important partner for cooperation.

He said that South Sudan will further develop its relationship with China and expressed hope that his country will continue to receive assistance from China in the fields of oil, agriculture, health and education.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2011)