(Friendship Hall, Khartoum, December 7, 2022)

Your Excellency Ambassador Ali Yousuf, Secretary General of the Association of Arab-Chinese Friendship Societies,

Your Excellency Ambassador Mohammad Abdulallah, Director of Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Your Excellency Ambassador Mohammad Maoulainine,Dean of Diplomatic Corps,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Friends and colleagues,

Good morning. As we speak, the first China-Arab summit will be held from December 7 to 9, 2022. This is a significant gathering of China and Arab states to renew friendship and discuss ways to promote common development. At this historical moment, we are gathered here to discuss the reality and future of relations between China and Sudan and other Arab countries. The timing of this seminar cannot be more appropriate. Let me begin by extending, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Sudan, warm congratulations to Ambassador Ali and Association of Arab-Chinese Friendship Societies on the opening of this well-prepared seminar, and a hearty welcome to all participating guests. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to all those who have promoted China’s relations with Sudan and other Arab countries with long-term dedication and commitment.

China and Arab states are always close partners linked by hearts and aspirations. Over the past seven decades and more, China and Arab countries have made concerted efforts, come rain or shine, to pursue national independence and liberation, to safeguard national sovereignty and dignity, to ensure peace and security, and to conceive plans for development and revitalization. In a time of enormous changes and uncertainty, our friendship continues and is more valuable than gold. Sudan is an important member of the Arab family. Led by the leaders of our two countries, China-Sudan strategic partnership has braved the headwinds and become a trailblazer and a shining example in keeping China-Arab friendship alive and strong, showing remarkable resilience and vitality.

China-Sudan strategic partnership has remained rock-solid and set a good example for political mutual trust between China and Arab countries. The top leaders of our two countries have built friendship on sincerity, and our political mutual trust has been enhanced constantly. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Sudan diplomatic relations, the two leaders sent each other congratulatory messages, pointing the way for our bilateral relations. Since the start of Sudan’s political transition, Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of Sudan’s Sovereign Council Burhan have exchanged letters several times. The coming first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the first China-Arab summit will steer the course of bilateral relations. Also, phone calls between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok and between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Sudanese counterparts injected vitality to the progress of bilateral relations. Successful visits to Sudan by Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue Zhai Jun, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Xue Bing and Ambassador Li Lianhe of the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry further reinforced our consensus on promoting bilateral friendship and cooperation. What’s more, we have had a successful political consultation at the vice foreign ministerial level and kept close exchanges on political, diplomatic, business, and educational fronts. No matter how the situation may evolve, the original aspiration of keeping China-Sudan friendship going through generations will remain unchanged, our pursuit of win-win cooperation and commitment to fairness and justice will remain the same.

Mutual support between China and Sudan has remained steadfast and strong and been a manifestation of solidarity between China and Arab countries. Our two nations have for a long time forged ahead side by side to find our own path to independent development. We also coordinated with each other in international affairs and rendered mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, with no strings attached. This year, our mutual support has grown even stronger. On the Taiwan question, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq said in a statement that Sudan supports the one-China principle and backs China’s efforts to uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the 51st regular session of the Human Rights Council concluded not long ago, Sudan voted against a draft decision on Xinjiang region put forward by certain countries in an attempt to interfere in China’s internal affairs. Sudan has also responded actively to the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI) proposed by China. China highly commends these acts of justice. China has also spoken up for Sudan at the UN Security Council, the UN Human Rights Council and other multilateral settings to uphold justice for Sudan. China opposes illegal interference and unilateral sanctions against Sudan and calls on the international community to respect Sudan’s sovereignty and create momentum for Sudan’s political transition and economic growth.

Mutually-beneficial cooperation between China and Sudan has advanced steadily and blaz