China announced its recognition of South Sudan's independence Saturday.
In a message sent to his South Sudanese counterpart Deng Alor Kuol, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said China would recognize South Sudan from Saturday and was willing to establish diplomatic relations with it, according to a foreign ministry statement, Xinhua reported.
The Chinese government would like to develop friendly cooperation in various areas with South Sudan on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the statement said.