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ChinAfrica
Celebrating 60 Years
China-Sudan relations reaching new heights
ChinAfrica | VOL.11 February ·2019-02-19
  Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in Beijing on September 2, 2018 (XINHUA)

February 4, 2019 was a big day for Sudan and China ties as the two countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. On this auspicious occasion, Ahmed Mahgoub Ahmed Shawer, Sudanese Ambassador to China, spoke to ChinAfrica on a number of topics. These included China's peacekeeping troops in Darfur, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and agricultural cooperation. An edited version of the interview follows:

ChinAfrica: What are some of the highlights of the current relationship between China and Sudan? 

Ahmed Mahgoub Ahmed Shawer: At first I wish to convey my congratulations to the peoples of the two friendly countries.

As our two countries are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, we are looking with pride and satisfaction at what has been achieved and at what opportunities exist in the future to take the relations further. During the last 60 years, Sudan and China have accomplished many political and economic achievements which have brought considerable benefits to both countries.

Besides the mutual understanding in political issues, Sudan and China also enjoy good economic relations; cooperation in the oil sector in Sudan is a successful model for South-South cooperation. It is the successful model which has inspired the whole African continent to follow and proves that China is a trusted partner. Sudan's stability and development in recent years have been maintained thanks to China's sincere partnership which contributed majorly in this regard.

In 2015, Sudan and China signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement which can be considered as a milestone in the history of the relationship. Since 2015, the two friendly countries have developed their cooperation and found new areas to implement the principal of mutual benefits. These include a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Belt and Road Initiative signed between the two counties in Khartoum in 2017 to ensure Sudan's engagement in this very important initiative and confirm its willingness to participate actively in its implementation.

China's second peacekeeping helicopter detachment has recently started its mission in Darfur. How do you see the role of Chinese troops in Darfur as part of the UN's peacekeeping missions? 

Sudan is looking to Chinese troop's participation in the peacekeeping forces in Darfur with satisfaction and gratitude. China has always been a trusted friend of Sudan and the Chinese engineering battalion in Darfur contributes majorly in the development and stability of its deployment zones. In addition, the battalion helps improve the lives of the people there. Therefore, the Sudanese Government has decided to extend their mission in the region within the UNAMID [United Nations/African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur] peacekeeping forces.

Chinese troop's mission in Darfur can be considered as a model to be followed and implemented in other world regions with the same security situations.

At the FOCAC Beijing Summit held last September, the Chinese Government put forward eight initiatives to further boost China-Africa cooperation. In which sector do you think Sudan and China should strengthen cooperation in the coming years? 

The FOCAC is one of the important effective mechanisms of cooperation between China and Africa; it's also a practical implementation for the win-win cooperation principle in line with the African Union Agenda 2063 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

China is the second biggest economy in the world and the biggest trade partner to many countries in the world; therefore this forum represents a chance for both China and Africa to set the course for future cooperation.

During the last FOCAC Summit, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Chinese President Xi Jinping met and discussed the bilateral relations and reaffirmed the future plans for the cooperation between the two countries. Sudan is a country of rich resources and it has been labeled the world's food basket because of the huge arable lands, the Nile River and other internal rivers which are sustained resources of water needed for agriculture. There are also huge deposits of mineral resources in Sudan. Sudan is the second biggest gold producer in Africa with production of approximately 100 tons a year, in addition to having considerable deposits of iron, cooper, aluminum and many other minerals which are available for investment.

Currently, there are notable efforts being made by concerned Sudanese authorities to adapt and harmonize the national development plans to those of FOCAC, in order to secure further opportunities for Sudan-China future cooperation within the framework of FOCAC.

During the FOCAC Beijing Summit, China and Sudan signed a series of cooperation agreements, including imports of peanuts from Sudan to China. What do you think of the agreements and how can this promote agricultural cooperation between the two countries?

Yes, it's true; the agreements which have been signed during the last visit of our President al-Bashir all have special importance. The peanut imports agreement opens the Chinese market for Sudan's export of this crop. It has been added to many other crops which are already approved by Chinese authorities. We believe that agriculture is one of the sectors which can bring a remarkable boost for Sudan-China economic cooperation. Currently, China's Shandong Hi-Speed Group Co. Ltd. is implementing a joint agriculture project in Sudan which aims to establish a complete production chain [from the field to the factory]. Sudan is ready to expand the range and volumes of Chinese investments in the agriculture sector. Mechanization of the agriculture sector in Sudan and utilization of China's advanced agriculture technology is also one of the areas which have a place in this project.

As one of the first countries responding to the Belt and Road Initiative, how will Sudan benefit from taking part in this initiative? 

As has been mentioned previously, Sudan and China signed an MoU on cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative in 2017. The MoU covers areas of cooperation. Since the signing, many arrangements have been put in place to ensure Sudan's commitment in making this important initiative a success.

Sudan enjoys a unique geographical location with a long shore to the Red Sea, ma­king it the gateway for China to the neighboring land-locked countries and many other African countries which don't have direct borders with Sudan. Joint projects with these countries have been submitted for implementation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Among them are development of sea ports as well as airports, establishment of the highway networks and railway lines, free trade areas and industrial zones on the borders of Sudan with its neighboring countries.

Besides these regional joint projects, there are many national feasible projects in the oil, agriculture, mining, renewable energy and tourism industry sectors which can be financed through the loan provided by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). It is worth mentioning that Sudan is one of the first shareholders of the AIIB.

As has been announced, the Belt and Road is all about people-to-people connectivity. In this regard, with Sudan's long history of friendship with China, the country feels optimistic about its future role in the Belt and Road Initiative.

(comments to hufan@chinafrica.cn)

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