South Sudan and China have recommitted to deepening their strategic partnership, with key pledges to intensify collaboration in the oil sector while broadening educational and people-to-people exchanges, according to officials in Juba.
At a high-level meeting on Wednesday between South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and China’s Ambassador to South Sudan, representatives underscored the importance of mutual cooperation for both nations’ development trajectories. Discussions focused on consolidating energy ties, expanding scholarship opportunities for South Sudanese students, and strengthening long-standing bilateral relations guided by equality, mutual respect and shared interests.
China has been an integral partner in South Sudan’s oil industry – the backbone of the world’s youngest nation’s economy – with Chinese enterprises historically involved in exploration, production and critical infrastructure development.
Recent collaborations include technical partnerships with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) aimed at reviving oil production across key blocks, particularly in Unity, Ruweng and Upper Nile regions, after disruptions caused by regional insecurity.
Both sides also agree on the strategic importance of stabilising and expanding oil output to support economic recovery and sustainable growth. This comes as South Sudan works to resuscitate its oil industry and strengthen export capacity after prolonged challenges in production and transit.
Beyond hydrocarbons, officials highlighted plans to extend educational cooperation, which include increasing scholarship opportunities and people-to-people exchanges. China’s support for education in South Sudan has been tangible in recent years: the Chinese Embassy donated textbooks and scholastic materials to a prominent secondary school in Juba, reinforcing ties with South Sudan’s academic community.
Chinese firms, notably CNPC, have also contributed to higher education by donating computer equipment to the University of Juba’s Schools of Computer Science and Engineering, bolstering local capacity for science and technology training.
Officials noted that such initiatives lay a foundation for future collaboration, helping produce skilled graduates who may participate in the development of South Sudan’s economy and bilateral cooperation initiatives.
Since South Sudan’s independence in 2011, China and South Sudan have nurtured a comprehensive partnership encompassing infrastructure, healthcare, humanitarian support and capacity building.
Chinese-aided projects in South Sudan include the expansion of critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges and air traffic systems, as well as medical and teaching facilities that contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.
Recent diplomatic engagements, such as the Chinese Embassy’s “Tripartite Mechanism Meeting” on consular protection, highlight efforts to support Chinese enterprises operating in South Sudan while strengthening socio-economic cooperation at the grassroots level.
Additionally, cultural and diplomatic occasions, such as the 2026 Chinese New Year reception hosted by the Chinese embassy in Juba, showcased robust bilateral goodwill and affirmed commitments to expanding cooperation in infrastructure, technology, trade and human capital development.
South Sudan’s deepening ties with China come amid a complex regional environment where energy security and foreign partnerships shape national priorities. China’s engagement in Africa has often been positioned as part of broader initiatives to support infrastructure and economic development across the continent while fostering stable, long-term partnerships.
For South Sudan, collaboration with China offers a pathway to revitalise its oil industry, diversify its economy and invest in future generations – underscored by expanded educational linkages and practical cooperation that benefit people on both sides of this evolving bilateral relationship.
