On September 17, 2008, Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, met at the Great Hall of the People with Deputy Chairman of Sudan's ruling National Congress Party Nafi'a Ali Nafi'a, also Sudanese presidential assistant.

Zhou appreciated the support the Sudanese government and people offered to the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics. While reviewing China-Sudan ties, Zhou said: "The two peoples have always been sincere to each other since the two countries forged bilateral ties in 1959." Zhou said China would like to work more closely with Sudan, build up political trust based on the consensus reached by the two heads of state and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. Zhou hoped that the friendly exchanges between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Sudan's ruling National Congress Party will make new contributions to furthering bilateral ties.

In response, Nafi'a congratulated China on great successes of both the Olympics and Paralympics. Nafi'a hailed the important role Sudan-China cooperation had played in boosting Sudan's economy and ensuring its social stability, saying that Sudan is ready to learn from China’s development experience.