INTERVIEW-Sudanese President speaks highly of Sudan-China ties
This article on Page 3 of People’s Daily, December 24; was written by reporters Huang Qing, Luo Chunhua and Huang Peizhao, and translated by PD Online staff member Li Heng.
KHARTOUM — Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir spoke highly of Sudan–China friendly ties and economic cooperation when accepting an interview by People’s Daily reporter in his presidential palace on the afternoon of December 23.
In the past China helped gratuitously to build roads, bridges and other constructions for the Sudan, Bashir said, and now he is pleased to see that China is engaged in investment in and construction of large projects of petroleum and dams in the country, without attaching any political conditions. He asked People?¯s Daily to convey his best wishes to Chinese government leaders and people, he extended his thank and appreciation to China’s government and people for their support and aid extended to his country, both in the past and present, and expressed the hope that relations between the two countries would rise to a new level based on mutual benefit.
The Sudan–China friendship goes back to ancient times, and relations between the two nations have been developing continuously since diplomatic ties were established, said Bashir. Since the beginning of the new century, bilateral relations have entered a new stage, especially economic ties. By now China has become the biggest trade partner of the Sudan. China actively invests in the Sudan’s energy sectors such as petroleum and power, and maintains close cooperation in construction of roads, bridges and dams. Cooperation in railway and agriculture has great potential, Bashir said he hoped the two countries could further strengthen cooperation in these fields.
Talking about the domestic economy, Bashir said that historically his country’s foundation for economic development was rather poor, and had for a long time depended on foreign aid. The present government has adopted a series of measures to stimulate the economy, trying to bring the economy into the track of self-development. As things stand today, this policy has proved effective and successful, over the past few years, the Sudanese economy has maintained an average annual rate of 6 percent growth. The country’s exchange rate has remained stable and inflation rate dropped continuously. Black markets have disappeared and petroleum played a pivotal role in pushing the economy.
Peace and development are two major issues of the greatest concern to the Sudanese government and people. Regarding peace, Bashir noted that the civil war, started in the 1950s, had lasted for decades and brought great suffering to the Sudanese people. Realization of peace is not only an important event in Sudanese history, but also the common aspiration of the Sudanese people. Now peace negotiations are under way intensely, and the government and the southern opposition faction have reached agreement on some important issues. Once peace is achieved, the nation is able to use its resources more effectively and have a more stable environment for economic development.
China has made great contribution to Sudan’s economic development, said Bashir. He added: China’s stability is very important to the Sudan, and we would like to see a powerful China developing independently in a stable environment, free from any external interference. The Sudan will firmly side with China and support Beijing “One China” policy as well as China’s efforts to safeguard its territorial integrity, he also expressed the hope that China would accomplish the great cause of reunification at an early date.