Q: What has China done to reduce tension in South Sudan since conflicts broke out there? Reports say that the humanitarian situation in South Sudan is worrisome. What is China's comment? Will China provide South Sudan with humanitarian aid?

A: China has been actively engaged in promoting peace talks in its own way since the outbreak of conflicts in South Sudan. We have been working on the two conflicting parties in South Sudan through various efforts. Ambassador Zhong Jianhua, the Chinese government's Special Representative on African Affairs talked on the phone with Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin of South Sudan the other day, calling on conflicting parties to exercise restraint, keep calm and start the cease-fire negotiation at an early date. We push the international community to play a positive role in moving the situation in South Sudan toward relaxation and stay in close communication, coordination and cooperation with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union and African countries. Special Representative Zhong Jianhua designated by the Chinese government has left for South Sudan and its neighbors for mediation. China will step up communication and coordination with all relevant parties to bring stability back to South Sudan at an early date.

We are concerned about the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in South Sudan. People of China and South Sudan are good friends. As a token of friendliness from the Chinese People to the South Sudanese people, the Red Cross Society of China has provided South Sudan with emergency humanitarian aid via the International Committee of the Red Cross. China will continue to do what it can in light of the development of the situation in South Sudan. Meanwhile, we call on the international community to lend a helping hand to the South Sudanese people.