China announced today the establishment of diplomatic relations with South Sudan, which proclaimed its independence in a ceremony attended by a special envoy of President Hu Jintao.
In a released message, the Chinese president congratulated his counterpart Salva Kiir Mayardit, who took over as first head of state of South Sudan.
He also expressed the hope that the new nation will become a positive force for safeguarding peace and promoting common development.
One of the initial steps of these links was the opening of the embassy of the Asian giant in Juba, the capital of the country, said Jiang Weixin (姜伟新), Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and special envoy of Hu.
Meanwhile in China, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei called to develop bilateral ties on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also sent a message to his counterpart Deng Alor Kuol.
South Sudan is the youngest state of the international community, the separation from Republic of Sudan was supported by 98 percent of voters in a referendum held last January.