By Alan Clement
The Republic of South Sudan and the People’s Republic of China have reaffirmed their longstanding friendship and strategic partnership with a renewed focus on energy and education.
The renewed partnership was confirmed following a high-level meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Monday Semaya K. Kumba and Ambassador of China to South Sudan, Ma Qiang in Juba with.
According to the Foreign Affairs ministry, talks focused on oil cooperation, expanding education ties, and scholarships for South Sudanese students, with both sides calling them constructive and committed to strengthening relations.
South Sudan’s economy remains heavily dependent on oil, which accounts for the majority of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. The meeting placed energy diplomacy at the forefront, with Minister Monday emphasizing the government’s determination to stabilize and grow the oil industry through Chinese investment and technical collaboration.
China has long been a key partner in South Sudan’s oil sector, with Chinese companies playing a significant role in exploration, production, and infrastructure development. Strengthening this cooperation is seen as vital for South Sudan’s economic recovery and long-term stability, particularly as the country seeks to diversify its economy while maximizing returns from its natural resources.
Beyond energy, the talks highlighted education as a pillar of bilateral relations, with the Minister Monday and Ambassador Ma Qiang exploring new avenues for partnerships and expanding scholarship opportunities for South Sudanese students in China.
Education has emerged as a critical area of cooperation, with China providing scholarships and training programs that help build South Sudan’s human capital. Expanding these opportunities is expected to empower young South Sudanese, strengthen institutional capacity, and foster greater people-to-people ties between the two nations.
The meeting also carried symbolic weight, reaffirming the longstanding friendship between South Sudan and China. The Foreign Affairs Minister conveyed New Year greetings and best wishes from President Salva Kiir Mayardit to his Chinese counterpart, underscoring the warmth of relations at the highest level.
Ambassador Ma Qiang appreciated the highest level of cooperation between the two countries and affirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening the partnership, with both sides stressing that their relations are guided by mutual respect, shared interest, and sovereign equality.
South Sudan and China established diplomatic relations shortly after South Sudan gained independence in 2011. Since then, China has become one of South Sudan’s most important partners, particularly in the oil sector, infrastructure development, and humanitarian assistance.
Chinese companies have invested in oil production facilities, pipelines, and power generation projects, while Beijing has also supported South Sudan through scholarships, medical aid, and peacekeeping contributions.
The partnership reflects China’s broader engagement in Africa, where it has positioned itself as a key development partner through trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
For South Sudan, deepening ties with China is part of a broader foreign policy strategy aimed at strengthening international partnerships, diversifying economic cooperation, and enhancing national resilience.
The government has consistently underscored its commitment to building relations based on mutual interest, with China seen as a reliable partner in both economic and social development.
The meeting between the Minister Monday and Ambassador Ma Qiang signals continuity and expansion in South Sudan–China relations.
With energy cooperation as the anchor, education as the bridge to future generations, and strategic partnership as the overarching framework, both nations are charting a path toward deeper collaboration.
As South Sudan works to consolidate peace, strengthen governance, and rebuild its economy, China’s role as a partner in oil, education, and infrastructure is expected to remain central. The reaffirmation of ties at the start of the year sets the tone for a relationship that continues to evolve, grounded in shared interests and mutual respect.