The Sudanese-Chinese Trade and Investment Forum held in Beijing on July 31 brought together diplomats and Chinese and Sudanese business leaders to discuss expanding economic cooperation, and particularly Chinese investments in Sudan, in order to assist Sudan’s reconstruction after years of conflict. The Forum was co-sponsored by the International Exchange Committee of the China Association of Trade in Services (CATIS), Qixing International Investment and Service Company, and the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Beijing.
Sudanese Ambassador Omar Issa Ahmed reviewed the strong strategic partnership between Sudan and China, but “called on Chinese companies to expand their investments and establish long-term strategic partnerships that would promote technology transfer, indigenization of industries, and mutual benefit for both countries” as Sudan enters a new phase of economic recovery, reconstruction and building, Fana News reported.
The meeting demonstrates that China supports the government of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the president of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan, as the legitimate government of Sudan.
The Sudanese government has been in conflict with the so-called Rapid Support Forces, a bloody militia that is backed by mercenary forces supported out of the United Arab Emirates and mercenaries from Colombia. Western powers, including the United States and United Kingdom claim the RSF is a legitimate opposition and demand the Sudanese government negotiate with it, which the latter has refused.
