China donates supplies to South Sudan amid dying bilateral relationship
Hua Ning (L), Chinese ambassador to South Sudan, and Mayen Dut Wol, undersecretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Sudan, attend a donation handover ceremony in Juba, South Sudan, on June 11, 2020(Photo credit: Gale Julius/Xihua)
June 11, 2020(SSNN) — As China finds herself on the weaker side of bilateral relationships following unsuccessful renegotiations of the multi-billion dollar Juba-Bhar el Ghazal highway project, the Chinese government made an u-turn in her bid to win the heart of South Sudan’s Republican Palace, J1.
This morning, June 11, 2020, the Chinese ambassador to South Sudan, Hua Ning, handed over thousands of medical items in kind donation to South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The good-will gesture included 5,000 protective suits, 15,000 facemasks, 100, 000 surgical masks, 5,000 protective goggles, 5,000 gloves and 834 packets of diagnostic kits.
Speaking to media, the Chinese ambassador, Hua Ning, pledged the Chinese government support to fight COVID-19, a global pandemic that originated from Wuhan, China.
“This latest donation demonstrates the Chinese government’s and people’s commitment to supporting African countries’ efforts to contain COVID-19,” Hua said.
“With joint efforts by the international community and the government of South Sudan, we would be able to build a global health system for all,” the Chinese envoy said.
Speaking on behalf of South Sudan government, Mayen Dut Wol, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, appreciates China for supporting their people in this critical time.
“The government and people of South Sudan are happy for the Chinese people and government because they have been standing with us in all difficulties. We will register this donation as one of the achievements of our relations,” Wol said.
The Chinese government’s soft response came a few weeks after the United States donated millions of dollar and pressurized South Sudan government to form local governments and to pay health authorities.
While the United States puts billions of dollars into humanitarian assistance in South Sudan, China puts more into the pockets of the politicians and that proves more effective and strategic in term of Chinese bids on oil, other minerals and contracts in South Sudan.
This donation came at a time when China’s Shandong Hi-Speed Group Corporation lost the 392 kms project that was suppose to connects President Kiir’s Bahr El Ghazal Region to the Capital, Juba.
President Kiir has fired the minister involved and closed doors on Shandong Hi-Speed Group Corporation, however, no other company has been confirmed to have taken over.
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