On July 29, 2016, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Deng Alor Kuol of South Sudan, who was in China for the Coordinators' Meeting of the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Wang Yi said that in the recent armed clashes breaking out in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Chinese peacekeepers on duty in South Sudan were hit amidst the clash, killing two Chinese peacekeepers and leaving five injured. China urges South Sudan to find out the truth as soon as possible and punish those responsible.

Deng Alor Kuol, on behalf of President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the South Sudanese government, extended condolences to the death of Chinese peacekeepers, and promised that South Sudan will speed up the investigation and bring those accountable to justice. He said that South Sudan is sincerely grateful to China’s contributions to peace in South Sudan and highly appreciates the courage demonstrated by the Chinese army to guard peace. The South Sudanese government will do its best to ensure the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in the country.

Wang Yi expressed that South Sudan is a young country with hope, but it is grieving that its peace process witnessed a downturn. As peace is a prerequisite for development, it is hoped that both sides in South Sudan can put the fundamental interest of the people first, further ease the situation, and effectively protect the safety of lives and property of institutions and personnel of all countries including China. China is willing to be a reliable partner of South Sudan in its peace and development process.

Deng Alor Kuol said that South Sudan enjoys a friendly relationship with China. The South Sudanese government highly appreciates the important role played by China in promoting South Sudan’s peace and construction, and hopes to further deepen bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, energy, education and other fields.