Chinese Ambassador MA Qian gathering during 74 Aniv. of the Founding of the People's Republic of China

The Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan says his country will soon launch several infrastructure projects in parts of the country in a bid to strengthen practical ties between the two countries.

Ambassador MA Qiang made the remark during the celebration of the 74th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China in Juba on Wednesday.

According to him, China will soon launch several China-aided projects including the Juba Teaching Hospital Phase II, borehole drilling and water supply, and mushroom technology cooperation.

The diplomate says China has actively responded to President Kiir’s call for a shift from humanitarian aid to more assistance in development and has implemented and completed a number of key projects such as the China-aided Broadcasting Facilities, renovated Juba International Airport, Air Traffic Management System, and China-aided Jur River Bridge in Wau.

He also recalled last month’s BRICS Business Forum in South Africa where President Kiir witnessed an MOU on Nimule Dry Port that was signed by the Ministry of Transportation and a Chinese company.

Qian said the project is bound to boost South Sudan’s connectivity with the East African market.

On other areas of cooperation, the Ambassador said  China has actively provided South Sudan with capacity training programs in areas such as infrastructure, medical and healthcare, agriculture, poverty reduction, and government governance.

This year alone, he said,  hundreds of South Sudanese have been invited to China for seminars that have greatly enhanced South Sudan’s capacity for self-development.

On what he describes as a consolidated political mutual trust between China and South Sudan, President Xi Jinping and President Salva Kiir Mayardit have exchanged letters for many times, charting the course for the development of bilateral relations.

He says China always respects South Sudan’s sovereignty and independent position and opposes interference in South Sudan’s internal affairs.

Regarding ties between South Sudanese and Chinese people, the Juba-based Beijing diplomat says his country has witnessed frequent highlights in exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, people’s livelihood, and sub-national affairs between the two countries.

He adds that his government has “supported the University of Juba in building a China Culture Center, and continues to provide various scholarships and training opportunities for South Sudanese citizens.

“Many young South Sudanese people take the initiative to learn Chinese, and actively engage in exchanges and cooperation between China and South Sudan. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of China’s dispatch of medical teams to aid Africa.”

Ambassador Qiang believes that the success of China’s development will also inspire the people of South Sudan to explore a development path that suits their national conditions and realize their dreams of justice, liberty, and prosperity.

“We are pleased to see that South Sudan’s independent pursuit of peace and development has become more determined, and the prospects of the South Sudan peace process are becoming brighter,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the Chinese are “willing to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with all countries including South Sudan, to better converge modernity and tradition, explore an inclusive and new form of human advancement, and jointly build a bright shared future for mankind.”