China established diplomatic ties with the Republic of South Sudan Saturday and vowed to provide assistance to the best of its ability to develop the world's newest nation.

The joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations was signed in the new country's capital, Juba on Saturday by Jiang Weixin, a special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao and south Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor Kol.

At the opening ceremony of the Chinese embassy in Juba, Jiang said that China would strengthen its political contact with South Sudan, provide assistance to the best of its ability, and expand pragmatic cooperation in an all-round way. The Republic of South Sudan declared independence Saturday. China said it supports the new country to become the member of the United Nations.