-- Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Ma Xinmin at Video Conference on the Delivery of Sudan's Initial Batch of Diesel Locomotives Manufactured by CRRC Ziyang
(June 14th , 2022)
Mr. Chen Zhixin, Chairman of CRRC Ziyang Co., Ltd.
Mr. Zhou Li, Deputy Party Secretary of CRRC Ziyang Co., Ltd.,
Mr. Mohamed Elfadl Hassan from SRC,
Colleagues from both Chinese and Sudanese sides,
Good morning,
It gives me great pleasure to meet you all via video link. Let me begin by extending warm congratulations on the successful cooperation between CRRC Ziyang and Sudan Railways Corporation and on the successful roll-off and upcoming shipment of the first batch of locomotives. This represents the latest development of China-Sudan practical cooperation. The supply of 34 diesel locomotives, a flagship project with Sudan Railways Corporation, has profound implications on the country, as it has a direct bearing on the revival of Sudan’s arterial railway transportation, thus stimulating its economic and social development for the benefit of the local people.
As important partners seeking win-win results and having great complementarity between our economies, China and Sudan have for long conducted fruitful cooperation on various fronts, such as oil, agriculture, roads and bridges, ports, architecture, hydropower, communications, education, and medical care. Among them, infrastructure cooperation has been the focus and highlight of bilateral cooperation. On the vast territory of Sudan, our cooperative efforts have unleashed enormous energy with productive outcomes, from the refinery built in the oil field deep in the Sahara desert to over 6,666 hectares of cotton fields along the Nile basin, from the friendship hall and the new presidential palace situated on the banks of the Nile rivers to the dams and bridges over the Nile rivers, and from the water delivery and supply project in western Sudan’s Darfur to the container terminal and livestock terminal at the Port of Sudan on the Red Sea coast in eastern Sudan.
Despite the sudden onslaught of the once-in-a-century pandemic in 2020 and the downward pressure it has caused on the world economy, our cooperation has maintained positive momentum, with multiple projects successfully implemented in Sudan, such as the China-aid slaughter house project, the entry of Chinese car brand Chery in the Sudanese market and the mineral exploration and exploitation by Wanbao Mining. To date, more than 130 Chinese companies have made investment and done business in Sudan. Together, China and Sudan share opportunities and fruits of development, and jointly work for a brighter future.
The CRRC is a world-class leading manufacturer of rail transit equipment in China, and its Ziyang Co. Ltd plays an outstanding role in the development of diesel locomotives. CRRC Ziyang has seen its locomotives sold to over 30 countries in the world, especially Asian, African and Latin American countries along the route of the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as Australia. More impressively, locomotives made in China have gained lead position in the railway markets of Vietnam, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Through cooperation with Sudan Railways Corporation dating back to 2004, CRRC Ziyang has so far supplied to Sudan 1.1 billion RMB worth of products, including 52 locomotives and 10 DMUs. It has earned broad admiration for its quality products and satisfactory after-sales services within Sudan’s railway industry. This time the CRRC Ziyang works with Sudan Railways Corporation once more to provide Sudan with access to advanced and reliable locomotive equipment as well as the sophisticated technical expertise. This will not only enable the Sudanese side to improve its railway transportation system, help expand and upgrade its locomotive industry chain, but also enhance the friendship between two peoples and make a positive contribution to China-Sudan relations.
A Chinese proverb says, “If you want to get rich, build a road first.” Likewise, it is reasonable for Sudan to improve its transport system first before seeking overall development. Given the popular demand from China-Sudan cooperation in transport infrastructure, vast business opportunities will be created. I hope both Chinese and Sudanese companies will grasp the opportunity and tap into their complementarity to achieve win-win results. As always, the Chinese government will encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Sudan and serve its development, thus sharing with Sudan the opportunities and outcomes of China’s development. China also expects all social communities in Sudan to create a sound business environment for Chinese companies doing business here. I am convinced that with concerted efforts from both sides, our practical cooperation will surely produce more new fruits.
In conclusion, I wish the cooperation between CRRC Ziyang and Sudan Railways Corporation a full success with productive results. The Chinese Embassy in Sudan will continue to provide full support and assistance to CRRC Ziyang. Wish Mr. Mohamed Elfadl Hassan and your team a pleasant stay and work in China.
Thank you.