Despite earlier speculation that the recent killing of Chinese oil workers in Sudan may harden China policy toward the country, an ABC News report says little will change in the immediate future in Khartoum-Beijing relations:
Chinese officials and scholars said this unfortunate episode will not adversely affect China’s economic ties with Sudan or other African countries. Foreign ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said China will continue with its investments and loans to Sudan because these were “mutually beneficial.”
Shu Yunguo, the director of Shanghai Normal University’s Center for African Studies, told ABC News, “this kidnapping case will not have any major impact on China’s policy towards Sudan or Africa.”
But the death of the Chinese oil workers highlighted the human price China pays for its search for oil and raw materials in Africa and other parts of the globe to supply its new factories at home.
See also “China sends officials to handle Sudan hostage standoff” from Reuters.
