Beijing sends envoy to South Sudan

China's special envoy on African Affairs, Zhong Jianhua, started a tour of African countries on Wednesday to discuss the South Sudan issue, the latest effort of Chinese government to help restore peace and stability in South Sudan.

The tour, which will include visits to Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya, began on the day that the remains of Chinese UN peacekeepers Li Lei and Yang Shupeng were returned to China, arriving in Zhengzhou, Henan province. Li and Yang were killed on July 10 in Juba, capital of South Sudan.

Thirteen Chinese peacekeepers have been killed since China began UN peacekeeping missions.