China called on Monday for an immediate cease-fire in South Sudan and urged the two sides to start peace talks.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks while meeting government and rebel negotiators in Addis Ababa on Monday during his visit to Ethiopia.

Wang said that being a friend of the world’s newest state and as a UN Security Council permanent member, China wants to play a constructive role in reconciling the two sides.

China was deeply concerned by the unrest in South Sudan and believed that an urgent priority for the nation was to focus on social security and economic development, he said.

He called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an end to violence and said the foundations for peace talks were already in place.

Delegations from both the government and rebels appreciated China’s stance and welcomed its efforts in reconciliation.

The peace talks opened formally on Saturday in Ethiopia but delegates have yet to sit down for face-to-face negotiations.