China has welcomed Sudan's opening of its borders with South Sudan, Xinhua reported Friday.

The move will help the two states improve their relations, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a routine press briefing.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit ordered army units to withdraw from their positions on the border Tuesday, and Sudanese President Omar al Bashir ordered the opening of the border on Wednesday.

Sudan closed its border with South Sudan in June 2011, as the Sudan People's Liberation Movement rebelled in Sudan's South Kordofan State, along the border with the South.

Source: MENA