File photo shows Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) wait to be airlifted to the South Sudanese Northern State of Eastern Nile, in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Janl. 7, 2017. (Xinhua/Gale Julius)

JUBA, April 23 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan has hailed China's support for the youngest nation embroiled in more than three years of violent conflict, expressing hope that the two countries continue their cordial relations.

Deputy Minister of Information Paul Akol Kordit on Friday commended China for being a historical friend of Africa and particularly South Sudan.

"We have very strong ties with China. It has been supporting us in terms of development and diplomatically on the international arena. They have stood with the people of South Sudan and we hope the cordial relations continue," Akol said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mawien Makol said China has been helping the war-torn country since it won independence in 2011 from northern neighbor Sudan after decades of civil war.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013, as political disputes between President Kiir and his former deputy Machar caused fighting to spread along ethnic lines.

The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced 3.5 millions from their homes, according to the UN.

And 7.5 million people are currently in dire need of humanitarian assistance amid famine having been declared in some parts of the country especially in the Mayendit and Leer Counties of the northern Unity state where 100,000 people are starving and a further one million on the brink.