BEIJING, Dec. 27 -- China on Friday voiced concern over the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in South Sudan.

Zhong Jianhua, special representative of the Chinese Government on African Affairs, has visited South Sudan and its neighboring countries to mediate between the factions, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing.

The world's youngest country has been thrown into turmoil since Dec. 15, when South Sudanese President Salva Kiir's government said soldiers loyal to former Deputy President Riek Machar, dismissed in July, launched an attempted coup.

According to the UN, escalating violence has led to hundreds of deaths and the displacement of at least 90,000 people in South Sudan, which became an independent state after seceding from Sudan in July 2011.

The Red Cross Society of China has offered emergency humanitarian aid to the people of South Sudan, said Hua, adding that China will continue to provide assistance for South Sudan within its capacity, depending on the situation.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in South Sudan, China has actively promoted peace talks, said Hua.

In a phone conversation with South Sudanese Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Ambassador Zhong called on the two camps in South Sudan to stay calm and exercise restraint, immediately implement a ceasefire and return to the track of negotiation, she said.

China has maintained close communication and coordination with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union (AU) as well as African countries in an effort to promote international society to play a positive role in relieving the tensions in South Sudan, said the spokeswoman.

She said China will continue to strengthen communication and coordination with the concerned parties so as to jointly push for early restoration of stability in South Sudan.