Sudan commits to co-operation with China
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-05-23 05:07

Visiting Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismail has emphasized Sudan's devotion to economic and trade co-operation with China, saying he expects more Chinese companies to come and invest in his country.

"China is the number one economic partner of Sudan," said Ismail at a press conference in Beijing on Saturday.

He finished his four-day visit to China yesterday and flew to Viet Nam to continue his Asian trip, which he called "looking into the East for more business investment."

Ismail, carrying a message from Sudanese President Al-Basher to his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, held talks with senior Chinese officials over the weekend, including Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

Ismail said the most significant outcome of his visit is that China has agreed to encourage more companies to invest in Sudan and "is going to raise the level of financing for its projects in Sudan."

"We have been discussing specific projects in textiles," he said. He said Sudan welcomes Chinese firms to integrate more in the process of Sudan's economic construction, especially in oil and natural gas, textiles and public transport.

"We hope co-operation will extend to a larger extent in various fields," Ismail said.

He said China has also promised to join the United Nations peace-keeping force in southern Sudan.

"We have endorsed a senior Chinese leader visiting Sudan this year for more discussions," he said, adding that the Sudanese Government has extended an invitation to Premier Wen for a visit.

During the meeting with Ismail on Friday, Foreign Minister Li reaffirmed that China will make joint efforts with the international community for an early settlement of the Darfur issue.

The Darfur conflict began when rebels took up arms against the Sudanese Government in 2003.

(China Daily 05/23/2005 page2)

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