Forum seeks to strengthen South Sudan-China relations

Photo taken on Oct. 25, 2019 shows the first South Sudan-China think tank forum in Juba, South Sundan. (Xinhua/Daniel Majak)

The first South Sudan-China think tank forum explored avenues to strengthen bilateral relations.

JUBA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- The first South Sudan-China think tank forum kicked off in Juba on Friday aimed at exploring avenues to strengthen relations between Juba and Beijing.

The one-day forum is organized by the Centre for Strategic Policy Studies, a Juba-based think tank and the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University.

The event, supported by the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan, focuses on three key areas namely: politics, governance and economy.

It brings together South Sudanese and Chinese scholars, researchers, experts and civil society leaders to discuss opportunities the two countries can tap into to achieve development.

Hua Ning, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, delivers a speech at the first South Sudan-China think tank forum in Juba, South Sundan, Oct. 25, 2019. (Xinhua/Daniel Majak)

Hua Ning, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, said the forum came at a right time when the east African country is recovering from conflict and would boost relations between Juba and Beijing.

South Sudan's Vice president James Wani Igga said the forum would help the two countries to explore more investment and development opportunities and also come up with solutions for challenges facing the bilateral cooperation between China and South Sudan.

"This forum is very important in the history of our two countries. It is our wish that the two sisterly countries continue in the future to host this kind of forums to address our existing and unforeseen challenges," Igga said.