South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and President Xi Jinping of China met on Friday to discuss bilateral relations following the end of the China-Africa Forum. However, the main topics of conversation remain still under wraps.
On August 31, Kiir took departure for Beijing. According to his office, he was primarily there to discuss bilateral ties with his counterpart Xi while attending the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in 2024.
According to Lily Adhieu Martin, the presidential press secretary, the head of state would talk about matters of common interest between China and South Sudan, including trade and economics.
In order to increase South Sudan’s declining oil output, Kiir and the head of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) talked about plans to construct a different oil pipeline from Ethiopia to Djibouti during the summit.
CNPC President Dai Houliang reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the strategic alliance and outlined important areas of cooperation that can be advantageous to both parties.
In addition, Mr. Houlang said that ensuring worker safety through security measures is a primary concern and that successful cooperation is essential to the operation of pipelines.
Addressing Beijing’s largest meeting since the epidemic, Xi Jinping promised to increase infrastructure and trade ties with Africa, pledging over $50 billion in financing over the next three years.
speaking to the leaders on Thursday morning at the forum’s opening ceremony held in Beijing’s grandiose Great Hall of the People. Xi praised the continent’s ties, calling them their “best period in history.”.
“China is ready to deepen cooperation with African countries in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade, and investment,” he said.
“The Chinese government is willing to offer financial support totaling 360 billion yuan ($50.7 billion) over the course of the next three years,” Xi stated.
China, the second-biggest economy in the world and Africa’s biggest trading partner, has been attempting to access the natural riches found on the continent, which include rare earth minerals, copper, gold, and lithium.
Additionally, it has provided billions in loans to African nations, aiding in the construction of desperately needed infrastructure but occasionally igniting controversy by piling massive debt on top of governments.