File photo. (Xinhua)

JUBA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in South Sudan has donated anti-malarial drugs worth over five million yuan (744,000 U.S dollars) to strengthen the country's ability to respond to tropical disease.

He Xiangdong, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan said the drugs will strengthen South Sudan's capacity to respond to malaria outbreaks and improve its public health sector.

The Chinese envoy said China will continue to support South Sudan's health sector through capacity development of health workers.

"China attaches great importance to the bilateral friendly cooperation with South Sudan and will continue, within its capacity, providing strong support to South Sudan in humanitarian aid, state-building and socioeconomic development," the envoy added.

South Sudan's Finance Minister, Salvatore Garang who received the medical donation last week hailed China's efforts in supporting the conflict-torn country, adding that Juba seeks to strengthen bilateral engagement with Beijing in various sectors such as trade, development and education.

Since Independence of South Sudan from Sudan in 2011, China has provided financial, medical, humanitarian and diplomatic support to the world's youngest nation.

Riek GaiKok, South Sudan's health minister said the Chinese assistance provided a much needed lifeline to the east African nation as it grappled with negative impacts of more than five years of civil strife.