China will send its special envoy for Africa to South Sudan to help push talks, Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said.

China will send its special envoy for Africa to South Sudan to help push talks, Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said.

The envoy will head to South Sudan "soon" to communicate with all parties, Reuters reported.

 Wang was likely referring to Zhong Jianhua, a veteran diplomat who has deep experience of the conflict in South Sudan.

China, the biggest investor in oilfields in South Sudan, earlier called for all sides in the conflict to stop fighting.

 Hundreds were killed and some 45,000 civilians are seeking protection at UN bases after clashes between military factions erupted in the capital, Juba, on December 15.