Sincerity of friends tested by misfortune

As a Chinese saying goes, good friends feel close even when they are thousands of miles apart. Such is the case with the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Sudan. Although thousands of miles apart, our hearts are connected.

South Sudan is the world's youngest country, having gained independence on July 9, 2011. The same day, China and South Sudan signed a communiqué on establishing diplomatic relations; the Chinese embassy in South Sudan, too, was set up the same day. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, relations between the two countries have developed rapidly. Leaders of the two sides have met many times, strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation.

President Xi Jinping held a fruitful meeting with South Sudan President Salva Kiir on the sidelines of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on Aug 31, 2018. They drew a blueprint for future development of China-South Sudan relations. In June this year, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with South Sudan's then foreign minister Nhial Deng Nhial, who was in Beijing to attend the coordinators' meeting for FOCAC to help implement the decisions made at the summit. Last year, South Sudan officially joined the Belt and Road Initiative, and cooperation between the two countries under the framework of the initiative and FOCAC have continued to deepen.

Exchanges between the two countries go back a long time. In the early 1970s, China sent medical teams to work in Juba, Malakal, and Wau in South Sudan. South Sudan President Kiir fondly recalls how a Chinese doctor treated him for eye problems. Also, Chinese agriculture experts went to Aweil to help instruct local people to grow rice. Some parts of South Sudan still have bridges that China had helped build.

In September 2008, before South Sudan came into existence, China took the lead in setting up a Consulate-General in Juba. Over the years, China and South Sudan have always respected, trusted and supported each other.

China unswervingly promotes the peace process in South Sudan. After the large-scale conflict broke out in South Sudan in December 2013, China supported the mediation efforts of regional African organizations such as the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. In January 2015, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi initiated and attended a "special consultation" in support of the South Sudan peace process in Khartoum, where he put forward China's standpoint. In August that year, China witnessed the signing of an agreement between the warring factions to resolve the conflict in South Sudan. When another conflict arose in South Sudan in July 2016, China actively worked to promote peace through talks. In September last year, as a partner country, China signed the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. Since 2011, China has sent peacekeeping troops to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in an effort to create conditions conducive for peace. This year China took the lead in providing material assistance for the construction of a cantonment in South Sudan.

In December 2013, a large-scale armed conflict broke out in South Sudan, quickly spreading to the Upper Nile state where South Sudan has its largest oilfield. While others evacuated from the region, Chinese oil company CNPC stayed on and maintained oil production. Oil is South Sudan's main source of fiscal revenue. In January 2014, President Kiir said that misfortune tests the sincerity of friends and the Chinese government and its people are their true friends.

China also provides South Sudan－which is at the bottom in terms of development index in the world－with food, water, medical care and educational assistance. In recent years, China has regularly provided South Sudan emergency food assistance.

The Chinese government has built the Juba Teaching Hospital, Kiir Mayardit Women's Hospital and several schools in South Sudan. South Sudanese Vice-President James Wani Igga visited the Juba Teaching Hospital in May and called it a historic gift sent by the Chinese people.

Last year, more than 1 million textbooks compiled and printed in China were distributed among South Sudan primary school students, ending their ordeal of five students sharing one textbook. Since 2012, China has sent seven batches of medical aid to South Sudan, helping treat thousands of people.

China has promoted high-quality development of China-South Sudan Belt and Road Initiative cooperation. The Juba International Airport has been rebuilt and expanded using China's buyer's credit. It was completed and put into use in March 2017, and has become a hub for air connectivity and achieved good social and economic benefits. The Jur River Bridge project aided by China will become an essential path connecting South Sudan's second-largest city Wau with surrounding areas. Chinese enterprises have also participated with the South Sudanese government in the construction of infrastructure along the route.

People-to-people contacts have also increased. Since 2008, China has provided more than 700 South Sudan students with scholarships to study in China. China is now the most desirable destination for South Sudan students. Six out of the top 10 students appearing for college entrance examinations in South Sudan last year applied for studies in China and were accepted. Many students have already completed their studies in China, returned to South Sudan and are assisting in the construction of their homeland, besides being friendly envoys. China has also trained more than 3,000 talents in various fields to help meet the economic and social development needs of the country.

More and more people from all walks of life in South Sudan recognize that China's development is an opportunity for South Sudan and Africa. They believe that South Sudan's future is closely tied to the East and pin their hopes on China.

China sincerely hopes that the parties involved in the conflict in South Sudan will turn their swords into ploughs to achieve lasting peace. And on this road in pursuit of peace and development, China will always be a trusted brother, partner and friend.

The author is China's ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan.

The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.

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