South Sudan relationship elevated

President Xi Jinping and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership during the two leaders' meeting in Beijing on Friday.

Xi said that China, which established diplomatic relations with South Sudan in 2011, was among the first countries to have done so.

Over the past 13 years, China and South Sudan have developed strong political mutual trust and conducted fruitful cooperation, Xi said, and called for developing dynamic bilateral ties with rich content.

He said China hopes to share its development experience and opportunities with South Sudan, strengthen cooperation in petroleum, mining and agriculture, and help South Sudan diversify its economy.

China supports South Sudan in promoting political transition in a steady manner, and opposes interference in South Sudan's internal affairs by external forces, he added.

Kiir said South Sudan and China respect, understand and support each other. The African country has recovered its economy and improved its people's lives thanks to China's assistance, he said.

Kiir also said his country will work to create a safe environment for Chinese companies doing business there.