China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held a meeting with his South Sudan counterpart to discuss the recent death of two Chinese UN peacekeepers in the capital city, Juba, Reuters reported.

Wang asked South Sudan Foreign Minister Deng Alor Kuol to immediately identify the killer of two Chinese soldiers and punish them strictly according to the law. The two Chinese UN peacekeepers were among several people killed during a violent clash between forces of President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar.  

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Kuol offered his condolences over the death of the two Chinese soldiers and assured Wang that there would be a swift investigation into the case. The bodies of two Chinese soldiers were sent to China on 26 July.

Wang urged Kuol to ensure peace in the newly formed country, which came into existence after gaining independence from Sudan in 2011. Wang said he hopes that both rival factions will put public interest first for the safety of public lives and properties, including the lives of Chinese citizens.

The ongoing civil war in South Sudan started in 2013, when President Salva Kiir, who belong to the Dinka ethnic group, sacked his deputy Riek Machar, who hails from the rival Nuer ethnic group.

Relationship Between China and South Sudan      

China traditionally has been a supporter of North Sudan, also known as Sudan. China had formed military ties with Sudan and sold many military equipments to the war-torn country. However, China was forced to change its foreign policy towards Sudan, after the African country was split into two and South Sudan was born in 2011.

After initial years of skepticism, Beijing has been able to form a stable foreign relation with South Sudan. China has made sizeable investments in the country's energy sector. However, most of its investment and other infrastructure projects have been affected by the civil war.

TagsChinese UN Peacekeepers, Chinese Soliders, South Sudan, China and South Sudan