A memorial service was held for two Chinese peacekeepers who died in South Sudan last month. (Photo : Getty Images)
Wang Yi, China's foreign minister, asked the Sudanese government to identify and punish the rebels who were responsible for the death of two Chine U.N. peacekeepers.
The two peacekeepers, Li Lei and Yao Daoxiang died during an attack by rebels on the U.N. compound in Juba, the capital of Sudan.
Opposing forces of President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, the former rebel leader who became vice president, are engaged in a civil war.
According to the statement, Deng Alor Kuol, the Sudanese foreign minister, grieved over the deaths of the peacekeepers and committed to investigating the matter.
Wang said that in order to attain development, peace should be attained first. The Chinese minister asked Sudan to take the public's interest as a first priority, which included safety of Chinese citizens.
According to reports from the government controlled media, China has sent 30,000 troops to 24 U.N. peacekeeping missions, and 13 have already died.
China had good relations with the North Sudanese government but failed because of the conflict. Relations with the new government in South Sudan has also been derailed.
The China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) has evacuated workers because of the intensifying civil war. However, production has not been affected.
Oil production is the main foreign investment in the country and accounts for 90 percent of the country's national economy. Malaysia's Petroliam Nasional Bhd. and India's Oil & Natural Gas Corp. produce oil with CNPC.
According to U.N. chief Ban Ki-Moon, the country is "on the brink of the abyss".
The U.N. has extended operations until Aug. 12. A three day waiting period was issued by the Sudanese government to U.N. forces and diplomats who are applying for visas.
More than 7,500 U.N. peacekeepers are deployed in Juba.
