UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese UN envoy on Tuesday said maintaining the peace momentum in South Sudan should be a top priority for the conflict-stricken country.

Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, told the Security Council that the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement, signed by South Sudanese parties last year, holds the key to the political resolution of the issue of the African country.

South Sudan descended into conflict in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir sacked his deputy Riek Machar. The revitalized deal set out a peace process that includes a pre-transitional period and the formation of a unity government.

The international community, the Security Council in particular, should provide greater help focusing on facilitating the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement by all parties, Wu said.

In this regard, he said, the leadership of the government of South Sudan should be respected as parties in the country bear the primary responsibility for the implementation.

"The international community should enhance communication with all parties, the government in particular, listen carefully to their opinions and suggestions and provide necessary funding, material, and technical support in political and security fields in light of the needs of the country," he said.