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China's foreign minister in first visit to South Sudan China's foreign minister in first visit to South Sudan
(about 2 hours later)
China's foreign minister is to arrive in South Sudan - the first high-level visit since independence in July.China's foreign minister is to arrive in South Sudan - the first high-level visit since independence in July.
Yang Jiechi is expected to urge the government in Juba to develop a better relationship with Sudan.Yang Jiechi is expected to urge the government in Juba to develop a better relationship with Sudan.
Mr Yang expressed similar views during his talks with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir earlier this week.Mr Yang expressed similar views during his talks with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir earlier this week.
China - which is heavily involved in Sudanese oil extraction - has been a strong supporter of Mr Bashir, despite claims of Sudan's war crimes in Darfur.China - which is heavily involved in Sudanese oil extraction - has been a strong supporter of Mr Bashir, despite claims of Sudan's war crimes in Darfur.
'Urgent solutions''Urgent solutions'
Mr Yang's visit comes one month to the day after South Sudan became independent.Mr Yang's visit comes one month to the day after South Sudan became independent.
Beijing's links to Khartoum have been strong in recent years, but the Chinese have made an effort to improve their ties with Juba too, the BBC's James Copnall in Khartoum reports.Beijing's links to Khartoum have been strong in recent years, but the Chinese have made an effort to improve their ties with Juba too, the BBC's James Copnall in Khartoum reports.
Last year, Sudan as a whole was the sixth largest sources of oil imports of China, and now three-quarters of that oil belongs to South Sudan, our correspondent says. Last year, Sudan as a whole was the sixth largest source of oil imports of China, and now three-quarters of that oil belongs to South Sudan, our correspondent says.
However, South Sudan has to export oil via the north because it has no port or refineries of its own. The two sides have so far failed to agree on transit fees, or how to share oil revenue.However, South Sudan has to export oil via the north because it has no port or refineries of its own. The two sides have so far failed to agree on transit fees, or how to share oil revenue.
The visit comes after Sudan last week released a cargo of South Sudanese oil it had blocked in a row over custom duties.The visit comes after Sudan last week released a cargo of South Sudanese oil it had blocked in a row over custom duties.
During his two-days visit to Khartoum which ended on Monday, Mr Yang urged both the north and the south to find "urgent solutions" to their outstanding differences for the sake of stability. During his two-day visit to Khartoum which ended on Monday, Mr Yang urged both the north and the south to find "urgent solutions" to their outstanding differences for the sake of stability.
"We hope that Sudan and South Sudan will have good neighbourly relations based on the exchange of benefits," he said."We hope that Sudan and South Sudan will have good neighbourly relations based on the exchange of benefits," he said.
Relations between the two states remain tense.Relations between the two states remain tense.
South Sudan's independence follows decades of north-south conflict.South Sudan's independence follows decades of north-south conflict.
Sudan: A country divided Show regionsSudan: A country divided Show regions
The great divide across Sudan is visible even from space, as this Nasa satellite image shows. The northern states are a blanket of desert, broken only by the fertile Nile corridor. South Sudan is covered by green swathes of grassland, swamps and tropical forest.The great divide across Sudan is visible even from space, as this Nasa satellite image shows. The northern states are a blanket of desert, broken only by the fertile Nile corridor. South Sudan is covered by green swathes of grassland, swamps and tropical forest.
Sudan's arid north is mainly home to Arabic-speaking Muslims. But in South Sudan there is no dominant culture. The Dinkas and the Nuers are the largest of more than 200 ethnic groups, each with its own languages and traditional beliefs, alongside Christianity and Islam.Sudan's arid north is mainly home to Arabic-speaking Muslims. But in South Sudan there is no dominant culture. The Dinkas and the Nuers are the largest of more than 200 ethnic groups, each with its own languages and traditional beliefs, alongside Christianity and Islam.
The health inequalities in Sudan are illustrated by infant mortality rates. In South Sudan, one in 10 children die before their first birthday. Whereas in the more developed northern states, such as Gezira and White Nile, half of those children would be expected to survive.The health inequalities in Sudan are illustrated by infant mortality rates. In South Sudan, one in 10 children die before their first birthday. Whereas in the more developed northern states, such as Gezira and White Nile, half of those children would be expected to survive.
The gulf in water resources between north and south is stark. In Khartoum, River Nile, and Gezira states, two-thirds of people have access to piped drinking water and pit latrines. In the south, boreholes and unprotected wells are the main drinking sources. More than 80% of southerners have no toilet facilities whatsoever.The gulf in water resources between north and south is stark. In Khartoum, River Nile, and Gezira states, two-thirds of people have access to piped drinking water and pit latrines. In the south, boreholes and unprotected wells are the main drinking sources. More than 80% of southerners have no toilet facilities whatsoever.
Throughout Sudan, access to primary school education is strongly linked to household earnings. In the poorest parts of the south, less than 1% of children finish primary school. Whereas in the wealthier north, up to 50% of children complete primary level education.Throughout Sudan, access to primary school education is strongly linked to household earnings. In the poorest parts of the south, less than 1% of children finish primary school. Whereas in the wealthier north, up to 50% of children complete primary level education.
Conflict and poverty are the main causes of food insecurity in Sudan. The residents of war-affected Darfur and South Sudan are still greatly dependent on food aid. Far more than in northern states, which tend to be wealthier, more urbanised and less reliant on agriculture.Conflict and poverty are the main causes of food insecurity in Sudan. The residents of war-affected Darfur and South Sudan are still greatly dependent on food aid. Far more than in northern states, which tend to be wealthier, more urbanised and less reliant on agriculture.
Sudan exports billions of dollars of oil per year. Southern states produce more than 80% of it, but receive only 50% of the revenue. The pipelines run north but the two sides have still not agreed how to share the oil wealth in the future.Sudan exports billions of dollars of oil per year. Southern states produce more than 80% of it, but receive only 50% of the revenue. The pipelines run north but the two sides have still not agreed how to share the oil wealth in the future.