China Grants Sudan $3m for North-South Unity
From the Sudan Tribune:
On Sunday, the Chinese government granted the government of Sudan $3 million for the purposes of strengthening unity between the north and south of Sudan. The grant comes on the heels of a recent agreement between the two countries to enhance economic cooperation and trade and to open Chinese banks in Sudan. In February 2009, China and Sudan will mark 50 years of relations. As the article notes, the level of trade relations between China and Sudan is significant:
China is Sudan’s leading commercial partner while Sudan is China’s third largest trade partner in Africa.The volume of trade exchange between the two countries in 2007 reached 5.6 billion US dollars, while the trade volume in the first nine months of 2008 was at 6.5 billion dollars comprising different sectors, particularly oil, machinery, equipments and goods.
China’s relationship with Sudan has been fraught with controversy, particularly regarding the Darfur crisis. To read more, please see these articles on China Digital Times.
Will Killing of Oil Workers Harden China’s Darfur Policy?
China Hostages ‘Killed in Sudan’ (Updated)
China Says Working With West To Avoid Darfur Strife
