On August 9, 2022, Ambassador Ma Xinmin held a press conference to criticize US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to China’s Taiwan region, expounded on China's solemn position on Taiwan-related issues, and answered questions on China-Africa relations, China-Sudan cooperation, food security and other issues. Sudan News Agency, Alintibaha Newspaper, Brown land news, Blue Nile TV, China Vision Network,  Sudanese Channel and other mainstream Sudanese media and Chinese media in Sudan were present. The full text of the press conference is as follows:

Q1: In response to US House Speaker Pelosi’s visit to China’s Taiwan region on August 2nd and 3rd, China has made serious démarche and strong protest to the United States. And from August 4th to 7th, the People’s Liberation Army are carrying out military exercises near the region. What’s take on this?

Ma: On August 2nd and 3rd, in disregard of China’s strong opposition and serious representations, Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited China’s Taiwan region, which has upgraded official exchanges and substantive relations   with Taiwan. Her visit seriously violates the One-China principle and China's sovereignty and territorial integrity,which has aroused strong indignation among the Chinese people and widespread opposition from the international community. Her visit is a major political provocation and political farce that constitutes four violations.

Her visit is a serious violation of universally recognized basic principles of international law on national sovereignty and non-interference in others’ internal affairs. The Taiwan question is one left over from the civil war in China and purely China’s internal affair. In the 1940s, the Kuomintang’s government of the Republic of China was overthrown. On October 1, 1949, the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China was established as the sole legal government of China. However, a group of military and political officials of the Kuomintang clique took refuge in China’s Taiwan Province as a result of their defeat, and with the support of the then US administration, set up a regime by force of arms in Taiwan, resulting that the two sides of the Taiwan Straits have been in a special state of long-term separation and political confrontation. Although such political confrontation resulted from the civil war has yet come to an end, the legal status of Taiwan being a part of China does not change. Nor is Taiwan vested with any position or rights in international law. As a sovereign state, de jure and de facto, the People’s Republic of China has the right to exercise sovereignty over its entire territory including Taiwan at home and to exercise the right of independence and representation on international occasions. The Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. The Taiwan authorities are merely the local government taking control of a part of China’s territory. They are anti-central government political forces surviving from the civil war.

Pelosi’s provocative visit to Taiwan and her support for “Taiwan Independence” separatists’ attempts to separate the island from China is an interference in China’s internal affair, an infringement of China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a gross violation of the principle of non-interference in international law. Universally recognized norms of international law prohibit the interference in the civil war of another state. The Declaration on Principles of International Law clearly provides that no State shall ‘interfere in civil strife in another State’. It is an international practice to consider assistance with or support for a country’s separatist forces as illegal interference in that country’s affairs.

Second, her visit is a serious violation of US’s commitment in the three China-US joint communiqués and the commitment made by the US leadership. In the Shanghai Communiqué released in 1972, the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations in 1978 and the August 17 Communiqué released in 1982, the US made a clear commitment that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is a part of China. In particular, the US clearly pledged in the Sino-US Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations that “the United States of America recognizes the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China. Within this context, the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan”. This is a legally binding international agreement. In November 2021 and in March 2022, the US President Biden made the “five notes” commitment twice in his phone talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying that the US does not support “Taiwan Independence”. Since China and the United States established diplomatic relations in 1979, Successive U.S. Secretaries of State have stated on various occasions that the U.S. abides by the one-China principles. This is the policy statement and commitment made by the US leadership. It is also a due international obligation for the US.

Any US government institution, executive, legislative and judicial alike, must act on the foreign policy and international obligation recognized and committed to by the US government. As the third-highest ranking figure in the US government, the House Speaker Pelosi’s provocative visit to Taiwan by US military aircraft is a grave breach of the US government’s commitment. Her acting in bad faith once again reveals the hypocrisy of the US side.

Third, her visit is a serious violation of the one-China principle widely accepted by the international community. There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This is at the heart of the one-China principle. Since the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949, 181 countries including the US have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. This fully demonstrates that the one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community. It is also the political and legal basis for establishing and developing diplomatic relations with China. The one-China principle is binding on all these countries.

After Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, more than 160 countries and international organizations have made their voice of justice heard. They reiterated their commitment to the one-China policy and expressed support for China’s efforts to firmly uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sudan’s Foreign Minister-designate Ali Al-Sadiq said in a press statement that Sudan supports for the one-China policy, considering Taiwan an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and supports the efforts of China in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This attests to high-level political mutual trust and deep friendship between China and Sudan. China speaks highly of the statement.

Fourth, her visit is a serious violation of the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. The one-China principle is a consensus widely accepted by all countries and also by international and regional organizations like the UN. In October 1971, the 26th Session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 that decided to restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the UN, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the UN and in all the organizations related to it. Representatives of many countries including Sudan stated clearly when the resolution was under consultation that the lawful seat of the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the UN be restored. The representatives of the Government of the PRC are the only lawful representatives of China to the UN, taking the place of representatives of Chiang Kai-shek, which marks that China’s representation in international organizations was legally addressed. A few days ago, the UN Secretary-general António Guterres and his spokesman said respectively that the UN follows the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758. The key content of such resolution is about the one-China policy that Taiwan is a part of China. These remarks show their firm commitment to the UN Chart and the UN General Assembly 2758.

All countermeasures announced by China are formulated on a legal basis. It is a country’s basic right under international law to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any sovereign state has the right to use all necessary means in accordance with the international law and its domestic law, either peaceful or non-peaceful, to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Chinese military drills in the waters off the Taiwan Island are a necessary and legitimate measure to uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity and a necessary and legitimate countermeasure against the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and foreign interference. Currently effective laws including the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, the Anti-Secession Law of the People’s Republic of China and the National Security Law of the People’s Republic of China, provide for adequate legal grounds and complete judicial procedures for punishment against “Taiwan Independence” separatists. Not a single “Taiwan independence” separatist could escape from punishment by national law. On issues concerning China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and other core interests, China has no room for compromise or concession. No one should underestimate the strong resolve, determination and capability of the Chinese people in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The trend of the world, vast and mighty, prospers those who follow it and perishes those who go against it. China must be and will surely be reunited. This is an unstoppable trend of history. The provocative visit of Pelosi and her likes goes against the historical trend and undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They will boomerang in the end.

Q2: Sudan has been grappling with COVID-19 and political turbulence over the years. Can you brief us on the recent developments of practical cooperation between China and Sudan?

Ma: Despite challenges imposed by the once-in-a-century pandemic and the global economic downturn since 2020, China-Sudan cooperation has maintained a positive momentum. Major projects including the China-aid slaughter house project, the Chinese automaker Chery’s entry in the local market and Wanbao mining project have made solid steps in implementation. So far, over 130 Chinese companies have invested and done business in Sudan, whereby we share development opportunities and the fruits of cooperation and work together for a bright future. With concerted efforts from both sides, our practical cooperation has recently been advanced with new highlights. I would like to talk about four representative cooperative projects. 

First, the Chinese government and the UNICEF have successfully completed the maternal and child health project in Sudan. Maternal and child health is the cornerstone of the health of all mankind. It is also the yardstick to measure social progress and the foundation and precondition for sustainable development of human beings. From January 1, 2020 to December 30, 2021, supported by the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund (SSCAF) set up by the Chinese government, the UNICEF successfully carried out in Sudan the maternal and child health project that is part of the Maternal, Newborn, Child Health Program. Over the past two years, the UNICEF’s workers have promoted health care services in eight subdivisions of the West Darfur State. They spread maternal and newborn health knowledge, offered early-stage basic and urgent care services for 59,400 newborn babies and their mothers. In addition, they provided maternal and newborn care training for local doctors, nurses and community midwives and delivered essential medical equipment and basic medical supplies to communities and health agencies, benefiting over 70,000 local people. Their efforts were conducive to better health condition of local mothers and infants and made a positive contribution to helping Sudan achieve its sustainable development goal of Good Health and Wellbeing.

Second, the first batch of diesel locomotives manufactured by CRRC Ziyang for export to Sudan rolled off the production line. We Chinese often say, if you want to get rich, build roads first. It is important for Sudan to prioritize transportation on its path of development. Cooperation between CRRC Ziyang and Sudan Railways Corporation dates back to 2004. In the ensuing years, CRRC Ziyang has so far supplied to Sudan 1.1 billion RMB worth of products, including 52 locomotives and 10 DMUs. It has earned broad admiration for its quality products and satisfactory after-sales services in Sudan’s railway sector. This time, CRRC Ziyang and Sudan Railways Corporation join hands again. 34 diesel locomotives were transported to Sudan after the completion of acceptance checks in June. The supply of diesel locomotives provides Sudan with access to advanced and reliable locomotive equipment as well as sophisticated technical expertise. It helps Sudan expand and upgrade its locomotive industry chain and revive its arterial railway transportation. It is certainly a win-win cooperation that will strengthen friendship between the two peoples and facilitate further development of China-Sudan relations.

Third, Greenroad International Logistics launched the Sudan-China express shipping service. June 26, 2022 marked another big and joyous moment for sea freight transportation between China and Sudan, as the new freight link operated by Greeenroad International Logistics was officially rolled out. The 32,000 DWT Chipolbrok Atlantic will make a 19-day voyage on a monthly basis between China’s Port of Qingdao and the Port of Sudan. This long-expected shipping line will shorten significantly the time for transporting goods between the two sides. It will help keep supply chains unclogged for our economic and trade activities and boost bilateral cooperation in logistics, thus delivering extensive benefits to the two peoples and to the entire country and beyond.

Fourth, the China-aid slaughter house project has achieved positive progress. The slaughter house project is one of the priorities in strategic agricultural cooperation between our two countries. The construction will be entirely financed by the Chinese side and completed in line with high standards. Chinese leading firms in this sector will be engaged in its construction and operation, sharing China’s technical know-how and experience without reservation. China hopes that this project will be conducive to enhancing the added value and export of Sudanese livestock products. China also expects this project to stimulate the development of upstream and downstream sectors in Sudan, ranging from forage grass growing and livestock breeding on the upstream side to processing, packaging, cold chain delivery and storage of meat products on the downstream side. This will help Sudan build a modern and complete industry chain for the livestock sector and achieve truly independent industrial development. Now, the relevant authorities of both sides are working to optimize the design plan and will kick off construction as soon as possible. We hope that in the near future, the slaughter house jointly built by China and Sudan will supply delicious food for customers of both countries and earn a reputation for its meat products in the world.

China-Sudan cooperation enjoys enormous potential and prospects. Going forward, China will work with Sudan to accelerate the progress of key cooperative projects such as the Khartoum-based slaughter house, and deepen bilateral cooperation in agricultural, energy and mining sectors. China will encourage Chinese companies to engage in the construction of Sudan’s ports, shipping facilities and airports to fully exploit Sudan’s rich resources and geographical superiority, thus contributing to its economic recovery and improvement of people’s wellbeing.

Q3. In recent years, some Western countries criticized China-Africa cooperation for imposing a heavy debt burden on African countries. What is your take on this?

Ma: Over the past years, US and some Western countries have been hyping up the so-called “China’s debt trap” by accusing China of undercutting sovereignty of African countries with debts and labeling China the so-called “neo-colonialism”. For these rumors and smears, I think it is necessary to present the facts and truth to our Sudanese friends.

Vilifying China for setting a “debt trap” is completely confusing right from wrong. Some African countries have recently confronted with a growing debt burden. At the same time, China-Africa cooperation has come a long way and development loans offered by China to Africa are growing rapidly. In this context, US and the West use the two growths as a pretext to blame China for setting the so-called “debt trap” in Africa. However, it is obvious that they turn a blind eye to the root cause of African debt issue, while exaggerating the proportion of Chinese loans in African countries’ total debt.

In essence, the African debt issue is by no means merely an economic and financial issue, but the result of unfair and unreasonable international economic order. When dealing with Africa’s debt problems, certain countries attached a lot of political strings and set standards and thresholds that many African countries could hardly meet. Their attempt to remodel Africa by taking advantage of the debt issue has been widely criticized by African countries. According to data from the World Bank, multilateral financial institutions and commercial creditors hold more than three-quarters of the total amount of African countries’ foreign debt. But these financial institutions and commercial creditors, especially the latter, are now reluctant to participate in the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI). The average interest rate on loans from Western private lenders is almost twice that of Chinese lenders. Such facts and data show that the so-called “China’s debt trap” accusation is purely disinformation. It is not China that is setting a “debt trap” for Africa, and China refuses to wear this ill-suited label. 

Hyping up the “debt trap” accusation is utterly malevolent. The basic logic of the debt trap is that China provided unaffordable loans to Africa and would confiscate or take physical assets of African countries when they were unable to pay back the debts. As a matter of fact, China’s cooperation with Africa always follows the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith, the principle of pursuing greater good and shared interests, the principle of openness, transparency, equality and mutual benefit, and the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. China’s practical win-win cooperation with African countries has effectively advanced Africa’s economic and social development and the improvement of livelihoods. It is widely applauded by African people and acknowledged by the international community.

Preliminary statistics show that over the past two decades, China helped African countries build more than 13,000 km of railway and 100,000 km of highway, nearly 1,000 bridges and 100 ports, and more than 80 large-scale power facilities. China has also funded over 130 medical facilities, 45 sports venues and over 170 schools, trained more than 160,000 persons for Africa and created over 4.5 million jobs in aggregate. To quote an African friend, “Infrastructure built by China in Africa over the past two decades has outnumbered that by the West in the past several centuries.”

When it comes to Sudan, preliminary statistics show that China has provided a grant assistance of six billion RMB in total to Sudan. More than 100 projects built with China’s assistance, including the Friendship Hall and friendship hospitals, benefit a wide range of areas, such as infrastructure, health and education sectors. China has remained Sudan’s largest trading partner and investor and the country contracting the most projects in Sudan, for several consecutive years. Together China and Sudan have successfully created a complete oil industry chain that covers all upstream and downstream business, and built a main artery of water conservancy made up of the Merowe Dam, the Roseires Dam and the Upper Atbara Hydro Junction. All these achievements lay a solid foundation for Sudan’s economic takeoff and improvement of livelihoods and deliver benefits to a large number of families. These three China-made dams are shown on Sudan’s 100-pound banknote, which becomes a valuable emblem of our bilateral cooperation.

China-Africa cooperation is conducted in an aboveboard manner and has delivered tangible results. There has been no project that was confiscated by China because African countries can’t repay the debts. Not a single African country has fallen into a so-called debt trap due to its cooperation with China. In reality, the vigorously-agitated groundless allegations, such as the so-called “debt trap”, aim at nothing but to prevent African countries from freeing themselves from Western control, by creating panic among African countries to intimidate and obstruct them utilizing the capital offered for maintaining their economic growth and thus holding back the independent and sustainable development of Africa.

China is always committed to addressing the African debt issue. When African countries have economic problems, China never presses countries having difficulties on debt repayment, not to mention asking them to sign any imparity clauses. Instead, China is always ready to find proper solutions through friendly consultation. In the meantime, China attaches high importance to debt suspension and alleviation in Africa. After the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, China has entered into debt suspension agreements or reached consensus on debt relief with 19 African countries, as part of its efforts to implement the G20’s Debt Service Suspension Initiative. The total debt service payments suspended by China are the largest among G20 members.

The ultimate way to address Africa’s debt issue is to enable Africa to realize as early as possible independent and sustainable economic development and improve its solvency. Committed to the principle of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and the right approach to justice and interests, China is ready to work closely together with the African side to step up the implementation of nine programs announced at the 8th FOCAC Ministerial Conference, so as to enhance Africa’s capacity for independent economic development. Meanwhile, China calls upon developed countries and their private lenders as well as international multilateral financial institutions to take stronger actions in giving capital support to Africa to ease their debt burden. Our joint assistance will benefit Africa.

Q4: Food security is now a major topic drawing global attention and concern. Sudan also faces the challenge of food security. What’s untapped potential of China-Sudan cooperation in the agriculture sector?

Ma: This year, there is severe shortage in global food supply due to multiple factors including COVID-19, extreme weathers, economic recession and geopolitical conflicts. A country with strong agriculture stays stable, and people with enough food feels secure. Soaring food prices mean lower food accessibility for many developing countries including Sudan and higher risks for global food security.

China places great emphasis on global food security. At the recent G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, State Councilor Wang Yi put forward, on behalf of China, the initiative on international food security cooperation to contribute Chinese solution to the current global food challenge. The initiative includes the following major proposals. First, we need to support the UN’s central role in coordination, strengthen rather than weaken its role, and support the work of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the World Food Programme (WFP). Second, we should not impose export restriction on humanitarian food purchases by the WFP. Third, we need to facilitate the entry of agricultural products and inputs from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus into the international market. Fourth, major food producing and net food exporting countries should release their own export potential, reduce trade and technical barriers, and control making fuel out of crops, so as to ease the tight food supply in the market. Fifth, emergency measures taken by countries for food trade should be short-term, transparent, targeted and appropriate, and conform to the rules of the World Trade Organization. Sixth, we need to support the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and the cooperation on agricultural science and technology innovation among countries, and reduce restrictions on high-tech exchanges. Seventh, we need to reduce food loss and waste. China has hosted the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste and stands ready to jointly follow through on the consensus reached at the conference. Eighth, we need to help developing countries enhance their capacity for food production, storage and loss reduction in terms of capital, technology, market and others.

China has been making positive contributions to safeguarding global food security. China has carried out exchanges in agricultural science with more than 140 countries and regions, provided more than 1,000 agricultural technologies to other developing countries, and sent a large number of experts and technical personnel to countries and regions in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and to Pacific Island countries. In recent years, China has donated a total of $130 million to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s South-South Cooperation Programme and implemented over 40 South-South Cooperation projects in cooperation with the FAO and the WFP. China has donated the largest amount of fund, sent the most experts, and undertaken the most projects under the framework of the FAO’s South-South Cooperation Programme among all developing countries. What’s more, China has taken active steps to provide emergency humanitarian food aid for other countries. This year, China has offered more than 15,000 tonnes of emergency humanitarian food aid to developing countries in need, as part of its efforts to meet the most urgent food needs of local people. This has been widely acclaimed by the international community.

China-Sudan cooperation in the agriculture sector has enormous potential. With vast and fertile land, including 74 million hectares of arable land, as well as rich freshwater resources in Blue and White Niles, Sudan abounds with cash crops like peanuts, sesame, gum Arabic and cotton, and grain crops such as sorghum and maize. Our agricultural cooperation is solidly based and has enormous potential and broad prospects. The 13,333-hectare cotton planted in the China-Sudan Agricultural Cooperation Development Zone has benefited more than 5,000 farm households and enabled 30,000 local people to have jobs. China will view this successful project as an exemplar for our future efforts with Sudan to make bilateral cooperation in agriculture more successful. To this end, we will continue to advance projects in the development zone. With the aim of creating “one park, multiple zones”, we will gradually turn the park into a base specialized in the planting, processing, deep-processing of cotton, peanuts, sesame and other crops and export of textile materials. Doing so will boost the supply of local farm produce and improve the industry chain to a higher level. In addition, we will step up cooperation in building food infrastructure, advance the well-digging project steadily, and ensure Sudan’s livestock terminal functions well. Moreover, China will encourage more Chinese companies to invest and do business in Sudan’s agriculture sector, so as to achieve higher-level agricultural cooperation between our two sides. China will take these concrete steps to promote global food security governance.

Q5: We have noted the Chinese Embassy’s ongoing efforts to promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. Can you talk about the achievements over the years?

Ma: As a Chinese proverb goes, “Only friendship built on sincerity can last long.” Over the past three years, China has conducted a series of successful nongovernmental cooperative projects, despite multiple challenges posed by the pandemic, local flooding and the political situation in Sudan. These successful projects add more substance to people-to-people exchanges between our two sides and deepen our traditional friendship. I will give you more details.

First, three China-Sudan friendship schools have been jointly built. The Chinese side worked with three local famous schools to turn them into friendship schools with better school conditions and a fresh outlook. The girls’ high school which lacked basic facilities is now renovated with hardened floors, a new playground, an air-conditioned lecture hall, and new desks and chairs. At the girls’ primary school where there was no place for group activities, the Chinese Embassy helped it build a new playground with basketball stands, creating better conditions for students to do exercise and keep fit. To help the boys’ primary school deal with the inadequacy of teaching facilities, the Chinese Embassy replaced the old desks and chairs with new ones for all 500 pupils in the school. The Embassy also donated 1,500 sets of school bags and stationery to these three schools. All this has been widely acclaimed by the school teachers, parents and local people.

Second, we helped the Sudanese Acrobatic Troupe improve its conditions. In 1971, with kind attention from the late Chinese premier Zhou Enlai and kind help from China’s Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe, 50 young kids from Sudan travelled across the ocean to learn acrobatic skills in China. After they finished their training and returned to homeland, the Sudanese Acrobatic Troupe was established as the first of its kind among African and Arab countries. In the ensuing 51 years, the Sudanese Acrobatic Troupe has made indelible contributions to promoting Chinese culture in Sudan and other places of Africa and also in the Arab world, thus being hailed as the “flower of China-Sudan friendship”.

In recent years, the Chinese Embassy has renovated the China-Sudan friendship hall for acrobatic rehearsals at the troupe, making the walls re-painted, doors and floor cushions replaced, and the hall airconditioned. The Embassy also donated to the troupe training apparatus, performance equipment and Chinese folk music instruments, which ensures the availability of materials and equipment necessary for training and performance. Last year was the 50th anniversary of acrobatic cooperation between our two countries, the Chinese Embassy, in cooperation with the Sudanese Acrobatic Troupe, held a performance in celebration of the century of the CPC’s founding and the 50th anniversary of our acrobatic cooperation, and an exhibition of photos about our acrobatic achievements over the past five decades. Their acrobatic shows and Chinese folk music playing gave expression to their best wishes for the CPC’s 100th birthday and for the Chinese people.

Third, three China-Sudan friendship multimedia classrooms were launched. The Chinese Embassy launched the China-Sudan friendship multimedia classroom in the girls’ primary school and in the girls’ high school, and set up the China-Sudan friendship multimedia center in the NUP Culture Creative Center. The Embassy donated 85 computers together with sets of computer desk and chair, and had special cables laid down to ensure safe power supply. This is a new highlight of bilateral cooperation in educational and cultural areas.

Fourth, four “Chinese Ambassador’s Book Houses” were launched. The Chinese Embassy launched the Chinese Ambassador’s Book House in the University of Khartoum, the Karary University, the University of Bahri and the Sudan University of Science and Technology. The book houses, air-conditioned and equipped with desks and chairs for reading, have over 2,000 Chinese-Arabic books of various kinds on the shelf donated by the embassy, providing a gateway for Sudanese students to learn about China. What’s more, the Embassy has visited and donated materials to kindergartens and charity houses, playing its part to pass down bilateral friendship from generation to generation.

Fifth, China-Sudan friendship trees were planted. Diplomatic staff from the Chinese Embassy planted 14 trees symbolizing China-Sudan friendship together with local youth in girls’ primary school and girls’ high school respectively. They encouraged students to study well so that they could devote themselves to building Sudan into a beautiful nation and carrying forward our bilateral friendship. Each sapling will be taken care of by students in a particular grade. This ensures that these friendship trees will grow and flourish like a flower that never withers.

Going forward, China remains committed to closer ties between the two peoples. We stand ready to work with the Sudanese side to continue to expand and deepen people-to-people exchanges. In this way, we will strengthen friendship between the two peoples, keep bilateral cooperation vibrant and add new momentum to our strategic partnership.