As we bid farewell to 2021 and will usher in the new year 2022 in just a few days, I extend my New Year wishes to friends from various sectors in Sudan.
Over the past year, the world has witnessed major transformation, adjustment and development. The pandemic is far from over, with the formidable variants still wreaking havoc. The global recovery remains fragile and tortuous, and the North-South gap has widened. Certain countries revert to the Cold War mentality to deepen division and antagonism. They uphold unilateralism and practice power politics, posing a new grave threat to world peace and security. As governance, trust, development and peace deficits facing humanity continue to grow, much remains to be done to achieve universal security and common development. That said, at a historical crossroads, the vast majority of the international community have chosen unity over division, cooperation over confrontation, mutual benefit over zero-sum game, and equality over power politics and bullying. Together we have endeavored to forge ahead with human development amidst changes and challenges.
Over the past year, China has made solid strides in exploiting new opportunities and opening up new vistas on its new journey. This year marks the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has led the 1.4 billion Chinese people in realizing the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects. Building on this momentum, China has embarked on a new journey toward the second centenary goal of fully building a modern socialist country. At the Six Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, the third historic resolution in the CPC’s history was adopted after deliberation. It is seen as a mobilization for the new era when China is becoming stronger.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of restoration of PRC’s lawful seat in the United Nations (UN). For diplomacy, China has held high the torch of true multilateralism and been committed to maintaining the UN-centered international system. We have worked for greater democracy in international relations and endeavored to build a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind. Facing the pandemic, we have conducted effective anti-COVID diplomacy and fulfilled the responsibility of a major country. China and African countries have overcome the impact of COVID-19 and held a successful Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). While attending the conference via video link, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation, spelt out four proposals for building a China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, and announced nine programs for cooperation with Africa. This is a new milestone in China-Africa relations and a full expression of China’s sincerity in supporting Africa’s development and revitalization.
What’s more, this year marks the 20th anniversary of China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). China firmly supports the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. President Xi Jinping has officially put forth a Global Development Initiative, which is China’s wisdom for the global development cause. This year, China has continued to boost economic and social development while maintaining prevention and control measures. Its gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to grow by around 8% in real terms in 2021, giving a strong boost to global economic recovery. Over the past year, China has opened up its economy at a higher level. The fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE) drew as many as 3,000 corporate exhibitors from 127 countries and regions. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will enter into force as of January 1, 2022, marking the official launch of the world’s most promising free trade area serving the largest number of people. China has also applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), thus taking new steps toward openness and cooperation in the face of protectionist headwinds. These are China’s endeavors to share its development opportunities with other countries.
Over the past year, China and Sudan have forged ahead through thick and thin. Our mutual political trust has been even firmer. President of Sudan’s Sovereign Council Burhan extended warm congratulations on the centenary of the CPC’s founding in his letter to General Secretary Xi Jinping. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on the phone with his Sudanese counterpart Mariam, while Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li and the Undersecretary of the Sudanese Foreign Ministry Mohammed Sharif had a video political consultation. Their contact has injected fresh momentum into the development of bilateral relations. Moreover, China and Sudan have supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and coordinated well with each other in international affairs. Amid Sudan’s political crisis, Zhai Jun, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government for the Middle East, spoke on the phone, and I had face-to-face meetings with officials of the Sudanese side to clarify China’s position that China supports Sudan’s political transition process, and calls on parties in Sudan to put the interests of the Sudanese people and national peace and stability first, resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly advance political transition in an orderly manner. China also calls on the international community to play a positive role in Sudan’s political transition while respecting its sovereignty and predominance.
Health cooperation between China and Sudan has been an exemplary model. China has provided Sudan with 19 batches of anti-epidemic medical supplies and an initial batch of 250,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Some more medical devices donated by China has already been delivered to Sudan, and another batch of 400,000 doses of vaccines will be shipped to Sudan as early as possible to support its fight against COVID-19. As we know, this year marks the 50th anniversary of China sending a medical assistance team to Sudan. Over the past half a century, the medical assistance team has dedicated itself to providing medical services. Members of the 35th and 36th medical assistance team stayed at their posts at the forefront of the local battle against the virus.
Practical cooperation between China and Sudan has continued to flourish. Bilateral cooperation in oil, agriculture, mining, business, health and infrastructure areas has been advanced, as new, encouraging progress has been made in several major projects despite the headwinds. Specifically, Chinese automaker Chery entered the Sudanese market, and the first diesel locomotive manufactured by CRRC Ziyang was successfully launched. The China-aid slaughter house project made an important step in implementation, while the China-aid well drilling and water supply project was proceeding steadily. 30,000 jobs were created for the locals, thanks to the new cotton variety “Seeni 1” grew by New Epoch Agricultural Development Company headquartered in East China’s Shandong Province. More than 70,000 women and children in Sudan benefited from the maternal and child health care project implemented by the Chinese government through the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund. The minerals analytical laboratory built by the No.6 Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources Exploration of Shandong Province made it possible for Sudan to assay minerals at much higher professional and international levels.
People-to-people exchanges between China and Sudan have been productive. The “Chinese Ambassador’s Book House” was launched at four universities including the University of Khartoum. Three local primary and secondary schools were built as China-Sudan friendship schools. A China-Sudan friendship hall for acrobatic rehearsals was established for the Sudan Acrobatic Troupe that is hailed as the blossom of China-Sudan friendship. 97 students and 602 people in Sudan travelled to China for studies and for technical training respectively. Performance staged on the Chinese Culture Day held at the University of Khartoum and at a special event in celebration of the centenary of the CPC’s founding and the 50th anniversary of China-Sudan cooperation on acrobatics, gave expression to the long-lasting friendship between the people of China and Sudan.
Looking ahead, 2022 will certainly be a promising year. The 20th CPC National Congress is scheduled in 2022. It will be an important year for implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan, and also a crucial year for the Chinese people on their march toward the second centenary goal. In 2022, China will embark on a new journey of building a modern socialist country and take new steps for major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. As China’s first-ever Winter Olympic Games is drawing near, China pledges to make it a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympics for the world.
Boundless is the ocean where we sail with the wind. At present, China is at a crucial stage of its journey toward national rejuvenation, while Sudan is at a key juncture in its political transition. Let’s forge ahead hand in hand with each other in 2022 and jointly create a brighter future for our two nations as well as for the rest of the world.
Best wishes to China! Best wishes to Sudan! And best wishes to the world!
