South Sudan president receives Li Yuanchao, vows further ties
(2012.01.13)


JUBA, South Sudan, Jan. 13 -- South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Friday met with Li Yuanchao, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), vowing to enhance the ties between the two countries, said a statement by the Chinese embassy in South Sudan.

Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, expressed his appreciation for the positive developments in the relations between China and South Sudan since the independence of South Sudan in 2011, the statement said.

He said that China attaches a great importance to developing ties with South Sudan and is willing to enhance the friendship, strengthen the political trust, deepen the cooperation on tangible bases, promote the cultural exchange and enhance the bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

The CPC is willing to enhance the exchange and cooperation with South Sudan's ruling party, Sudan People's Liberation Movement ( SPLM), on the basis of the four principles guiding inter-party relations, and to play a positive role in developing the ties between the two countries, Li said.

Kiir expressed gratitude for China's recognition of South Sudan on the same day of the state's declaration of independence, as well as for the assistance China has provided to the newly- established country in many fields.

Kiir further expressed hope that his country's relations with China would be enhanced, particularly in the fields of petroleum, mining, agriculture and electricity.

He reiterated South Sudan's adherence to the one-China principle and vowed that the his government would help maintain the security of Chinese nationals and their properties in South Sudan.

He renewed the SPLM's willingness to develop cooperative relations with the CPC, particularly with regard to the exchange of experiences in fields of ruling and policy-making.

Li held talks on Friday with the SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum and witnessed the signing of agreements between the two countries.

He also attended an inauguration ceremony of a water well marking the China-South Sudan friendship.

Li, heading a CPC delegation, arrived in South Sudan on Jan. 13 for a visit at the invitation by the SPLM.

Enditem