This year marks the 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and South Sudan. On July 9, 2011, the day South Sudan declared independence, China was among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with it.

Today, cooperation between the two countries spans infrastructure, trade, healthcare and education, building on close bilateral ties.

In 2024, the two countries elevated bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing.

"South Sudan is a land full of hope," Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan Ma Qiang said in an interview last year, adding that mutual respect and sincere cooperation have been the foundation of the relationship.

Over the past 15 years, the friendship between China and South Sudan has taken shape through projects ranging from airports and roads to hospitals, schools and clean water systems, supporting South Sudan's development across multiple sectors.

Infrastructure: Connecting by air and land

Infrastructure is a major focus of China-South Sudan cooperation, with projects spanning airports, bridges, roads, broadcasting facilities and other public infrastructure.

With Chinese financing and technical support, Juba International Airport underwent a major expansion, improving links with neighboring countries and the world. Before the upgrade, the airport was known for its deteriorating runway, which had raised serious safety concerns. 

At the request of the South Sudanese government, China provided preferential buyer's credit for the expansion project. Passenger traffic at the airport increased by more than 60% after the project was completed in 2017, while the number of international flights tripled, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The air traffic management project, built in 2020 with about $200 million in financing from the Export-Import Bank of China, allows South Sudan to independently manage its own airspace and receive revenue from overflight services.

Meanwhile, designed to connect capital city Juba with six other states, the Chinese-built Juba-Rumbek Highway is expected to improve transport across South Sudan. 

Its completed Juba-Terekeka section, stretching 63 kilometers, opened to traffic in 2022, making it easier for farmers and traders to move agricultural products and manufactured goods to market.

Economy: Supporting development

In 2024, total trade value between China and South Sudan reached $466 million. China mainly exports machinery, electronic products and food to South Sudan, while investment and economic cooperation extend across sectors including petroleum, engineering, construction, logistics and retail, supporting the country's efforts to diversify its economy.

China's zero-tariff policy is also creating new opportunities for South Sudan's exports, enabling agricultural products such as sesame, gum arabic and coffee beans to enter the Chinese market duty-free.

However, oil remains the backbone of South Sudan's economy, accounting for about 90% of government revenue, and a large share of Chinese investment in the country is concentrated in oil exploration and development. 

Chinese companies continue to work with the South Sudanese government and other partners to support oil production and exports. 

For instance, after an export pipeline was damaged in 2024, they worked together to restore production and exports. Production resumed in January 2025, providing a boost to South Sudan's economic recovery, Ambassador Ma said. 

Livelihoods: Improving healthcare, education and public services

Improving people's livelihoods is another key focus of the partnership. 

Throughout years of conflict in South Sudan, China consistently called for resolving differences through dialogue and consultation and supported lasting peace, development and prosperity in the country.

Chinese-supported humanitarian projects in South Sudan have improved access to clean water and helped ease humanitarian challenges through emergency food assistance. 

Chinese-funded water supply projects had built 47 wells by April this year, according to local media outlet Tamazuj Radio. China has also provided annual food assistance to help meet basic needs. In 2024, it donated 980 tonnes of rice and wheat, along with 8,800 tents.

Healthcare services and education in South Sudan have also benefited from bilateral cooperation. Between 2012 and 2025, 12 Chinese medical teams comprising 180 medical workers treated more than 70,000 patients and performed more than 1,200 surgeries across South Sudan.

China's support for education includes building schools, awarding scholarships and distributing more than 3 million mathematics, science and English textbooks, benefiting nearly 300,000 teachers and students.

Fifteen years on, as South Sudan pursues lasting peace and development, the partnership between China and South Sudan continues to deepen through practical cooperation, laying a stronger foundation for bilateral relations in the years ahead.