China has expressed interest in helping South Sudan and Sudan improve their relations and to keep the oil flowing through Sudanese pipelines.

The Chinese special envoy for South Sudan and Sudan met with President Salva Kiir this week to express his government’s readiness to support cooperation between the two nations.

“China can be instrumental in enhancing trade relations in both countries,” Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin told Eye Radio.

“You know the people of Republic of China are now good friends to republic of south Sudan as much as good friends to Sudan, so, they can also help bring the two countries together – the south Sudan oil to flow through infrastructure of Sudan.”

China is the largest importer of crude from both South Sudan and Sudan.

In June, China said it would support all efforts in finding a solution to the problems between the two countries.