South Sudan is to seek investment from China for a new pipeline. This would allow it to export oil without the consent of its northern enemy Sudan. The two parts of a formerly united country are in a bloody conflict over control of crude revenues.

Beijing may join an international consortium South Sudan wants to form for construction of a pipeline, Pagan Amum, lead negotiator for South Sudan, told the Financial Times.

“They are positive, they are looking into it, they have agreed to provide South Sudan with technical assistance in building an alternative pipeline,” said Amum. “Financing would not be a problem because we would be using future sales.”