China welcomes the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between South Sudan's rivals and will continue to support the country's peace process, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday.

Xi made the remarks during his meeting with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, who is in Beijing to attend a summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled for September 3-4.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China has been committed to helping South Sudan achieve stability and development. Beijing will continue to safeguard South Sudan's legitimate interests in the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks, and support the mechanism of mediation by regional organizations in Africa to resolve the South Sudan issue, Xi added.

South Sudanese rebel chief Riek Machar on Thursday signed a peace deal in Juba aimed at ending a brutal five-year civil war that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions. The breakthrough came after weeks of talks between Kiir and Machar in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.

China and South Sudan established diplomatic ties in July 2011. Since then, the two countries have witnessed steady development in their cooperation in various fields, Xi said, adding that China will make joint efforts with South Sudan to upgrade bilateral ties to a higher level.

Beijing is willing to enhance cooperation with Juba in areas of infrastructure and agriculture and encourage Chinese companies to participate in South Sudan's economic and social development.

Kiir said South Sudan appreciates China's support to its peace process and China's important role in maintaining world peace and stability.

South Sudan is willing to strengthen political exchange with China and enhance practical cooperation with China in energy and other areas, Kiir noted, adding that his country would like to strengthen communication and coordination with China in international and regional affairs.

Xi and Kiir witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents after their talks.