Sudan, China pledge to strenghten ties

Xinhua, August 9, 2011

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir met Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Monday and they expressed will to cement bilateral ties.

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (1st L) meets with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (C) in Khartoum, Sudan, Aug. 8, 2011. [Mohammed Babiker/Xinhua]

Al-Bashir said China is Sudan's real friend and good partner. It supports Sudan in exploiting oil fields and has helped train many Sudanese talents.

Sudan is willing to establish partnership with China in the agricultural sector and enhance their cooperation in the oil domain, the president said.

He encouraged China to expand investment in Sudan and also appreciated China's support for Sudan in international affairs.

Yang said that since the establishment of China-Sudan diplomatic ties, the two nations have cooperated with each other sincerely and produced fruitful results on the basis of mutual respect, equality and benefits.

No matter how the regional and international situations change, China will continue enhancing its friendship and cooperation with Sudan, Yang said.

He also said China would like to maintain bilateral political contacts and at the same time step up cooperation with Sudan in the fields of petroleum, agriculture and mineral resources exploration.

He added that China is also ready to encourage more capable Chinese enterprises with good reputation to invest in Sudan and hopes Sudan would provide convenience.

The two also discussed the relations between Sudan and South Sudan, as well as the Darfur issue.

Yang arrived in Khartoum on Sunday for a two-day official visit to Sudan at the invitation of his Sudanese counterpart Ali Ahmed Karti.