Fierce clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar occurred in Juba on July 7-8, on the eve of Independence Day. The clashes left more than 270 dead, including two Chinese peacekeepers. Another five peacekeepers are said to have been injured.
"[Chinese] Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming has already met with the South Sudanese ambassador in Beijing and made a representation about the killing of the Chinese peacekeepers," Lu said at a press conference.
The spokesman also called on the South Sudanese authorities to provide access to medical treatment to the peacekeepers and ensure the security of all Chinese citizens in the country at present. He also expressed hope that the conflicting sides would stick to the ceasefire deal.
An armed ethnic conflict erupted in South Sudan in December 2013, 18 months after the nation gained independence from Sudan, when Kiir accused Machar of preparing a military coup. Over a million people have fled their homes due to the conflict. On Monday, both Kiir and Machar ordered their forces to put down their arms.
