S. Sudan inaugurates China-aided conference facility

JUBA - South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Friday inaugurated a new conference facility for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs built with a donation from the Chinese government.

The facility consists of two conference halls with a capacity of 250 guests, library, cafeteria, offices and 24-hour solar power.

Speaking during the launch, Kiir described China as a true friend of South Sudan which has provided unwavering diplomatic and material support to the world's newest country.

Kiir further thanked the Chinese government and people for their continuous efforts to support the people of the war-torn country.

"This is a great symbol and gesture of friendship and good will not only to the ministry, but to the government of South Sudan," he said.

South Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor Kuol said the facility would help reduce congestion in the ministry because it has created extra space for civil servants to operate.

He Xiangdong, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan said Beijing attaches great importance to the friendly relations with Juba because the East African nation has become one of China's important partners in the world.

The Chinese envoy said since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, China has provided assistance such as relief aid, health, agriculture, diplomacy and infrastructure development, adding that Beijing has contributed at least 30 million U.S. dollars in humanitarian aid to South Sudan this year alone.

"China will always be a sincere and reliable partner of South Sudan in peace and the development process, let us join hands in this endeavor," he said.

On the sidelines of the launch, the Chinese envoy and South Sudan's minister of foreign affairs also signed two agreements for a China-aided project for modernization of broadcasting facilities of the country's national radio and television.

"We hope that trough our efforts, the project will enable South Sudan to produce more of its own radio and television programs of better quality and wide coverage," he said.