From December 18 to 20, 2014, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on African Affairs Zhong Jianhua visited South Sudan and met with President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Barnaba Marial Benjamin of South Sudan respectively. Both sides exchanged views on the latest updates of the government of South Sudan on the formation of the transitional government, progress of the peace talks in Addis Ababa as well as the role of China in the peace course of South Sudan. Zhong also exchanged views on the current situation of South Sudan with Ellen Margrethe Loej, Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, the Troika countries (the US, the UK and Norway) on the South Sudanese issue, the EU Envoy to South Sudan and others. H.E. Ma Qiang, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, attended the above events.