James Wani Igga, vice president of South Sudan, arrived in China late on Friday for a four-day official visit.
The government has yet to announce details about the visit to the world’s most populous country.
Since its independence, South Sudan has maintained ties with China in the fields of oil extraction, telecommunications, debt financing, arms trade, and construction.
Chinese companies played an important role in oil production at Unity State’s oil fields, which have been shut down since violence in December.
Igga’s departure from the country comes at the same time as President Kiir’s absence in Equatorial Guinea at the African Union summit.
Photos courtesy of Larco Lomayat