JUBA, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese medical team in South Sudan donated food and non-food items to a children's home in the capital Juba, to mark the Christmas holiday.

Sun Yaxi, head of the 6th batch of China medical team in South Sudan, said the donation, which included assorted items such powered milk, sweets, medicines, among others, will enable the disadvantaged children to enjoy a dignified holiday.

"Children are the hope of the nation. So we will try our best to bring love and care so that we can contribute to this nation, and build long friendship between China and South Sudan," Sun said.

"It is good that we celebrate together and it is good for them (children) to get the attention of the public. Let us join hands with the Chinese doctors and enjoy the Christmas as one family," said Angelo Kenyi, director of the orphanage.

Rose Lisok, Jubek State Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, appreciated the Chinese doctors for extending a helping hand to the orphanage.

"The government of South Sudan has a lot of bilateral programs with the Chinese people, we in Jubek State, are appealing that we have this kind of cooperation in bigger scale so that it can help and give impact to the people," Lisok added.

Since the independence of South Sudan in 2011, China has dispatched six medical teams to South Sudan to offer free and specialized medical care to patients across the east African country.