South Sudan seeks Chinese support

He also pressed Beijing for diplomatic support in the escalating conflict with Sudan, though China has refused to take sides and is urging both sides to resume talks on disputed territory.

South Sudan's deputy director of military intelligence Major General Mac Paul said on Monday that a Sudanese bombing raid on the market in the South's town of Rubkona was "a declaration of war."

The attack, which killed two and wounded nine, was the latest step in a confrontation which began when South Sudan seized the town of Heglig, which both countries claim, last month.

The South has since retreated from the town and claims to be withdrawing all forces from Sudan - but Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has vowed to drive "remnants" of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), to which Mr Kiir belongs, and "rebels supported by the government in the south" out of the disputed provinces of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

He said on Friday that he would not negotiate with the "poisonous insects" of the SPLM, despite growing international clamour for the two sides to talk and pleas from the African Union to end the "senseless fighting."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin reiterated calls yesterday for "dialogue to settle disputes regarding oil."

Sudan has said it will not allow South Sudan to export oil through it "even if they give us half the proceeds."

Beijing has said it will help South Sudan pay for and build a new pipeline but it won't be operational for several years.

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