BEIJING - China has called on South Sudan's conflicting parties to implement a peace deal and resume peace and stability in the country at an early date, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday.

A peace deal on power-sharing and security arrangements was signed on Sunday in the Sudanese capital Khartoum by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, major opposition leader Riek Machar, and representatives of other opposition factions.

In response, spokesperson Hua Chunying said China welcomed and appreciated the peace deal, which marked an important step towards peace in South Sudan.

"We call on South Sudan's conflicting parties to implement the peace deal and restore peace and stability at an early date," Hua said, adding that China would as always provide support and assistance to the peace process in South Sudan.