Face of Truth | Ibrahim Shglawi<\/p>\n
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Sudan and China\u2026 \u201cLove, and Renewed Again\u201d<\/p>\n
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With this poetic title\u2014borrowed from the opening of one of Abdel Karim Al-Kabli\u2019s celebrated poems that immortalized renewed commitment and elevated the values of appreciation and loyalty\u2014we enter the realm of international relations through a Sudanese cultural lens. It is a \u201crenewed love\u201d that was never merely emotional, but one China has consistently translated into tangible actions whenever crises deepened, and Sudan needed a partner who would not compromise its sovereignty nor demand loyalty in exchange for partnership.<\/p>\n
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Between Khartoum and Beijing, there exists a unique connection between two capitals and a deeply rooted relationship. Since the 1960s, Sudan has sought to strengthen ties with China, recognizing its need for a developmental partner who does not speak the language of impositions but extends a hand of cooperation and assistance\u2014and that is precisely what Sudan found in China. Some even trace the roots of this connection further back, to the colonial adventures of Gordon Pasha in China, which ultimately ended in Sudan\u2014suggesting that the destinies of both nations intersected early in their resistance to arrogance and imperialism.<\/p>\n
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This relationship, which for decades oscillated between economic cooperation and political support, has recently entered a more dynamic and defined phase with the visit of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, to Beijing last September, during the China-Africa Cooperation Forum. The visit was of high importance, as it marked Sudan\u2019s return to the heart of one of the most significant geopolitical and economic frameworks of the 21st century: the Belt and Road Initiative.<\/p>\n
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During this visit, China demonstrated that it continues to live up to the Sudanese people\u2019s trust. In just two days, major agreements worth over 7 billion USD were signed. These covered sectors such as energy, the construction and modernization of ports and airports, mining development, electricity generation, and the rehabilitation of transportation infrastructure. A landmark agreement was also signed in the field of defense industries with China\u2019s Poly Technologies, boosting Sudan\u2019s strategic and security readiness in wartime and beyond.<\/p>\n
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This package of agreements signals a strategic intent by both parties to rebuild Sudan\u2014not only physically but also by reinforcing its place in the evolving geopolitical landscape. It also indicates that China still views Sudan as a reliable partner, especially given its unique geographic location on the Red Sea, where security meets economics and balance is forged.<\/p>\n
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Currently, China is completing its political and economic support by rehabilitating two iconic symbols of Sudanese sovereignty: the Friendship Hall and the new Republican Palace, both of which it previously helped build\u2014the former in 1976 with later upgrades in 2005 and 2017, and the latter between 2011 and 2014 with direct support from Beijing. Today, China returns to restore what was destroyed by war, in a gesture rich with symbolism, gratitude, and mutual respect.<\/p>\n
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In line with this vision, Lt. Gen. Dr. Mohamed Al-Ghali, Secretary-General of the Sovereignty Council, announced last week the completion of the first phase of the Republican Palace\u2019s rehabilitation. The next phase will map out the engineering and technical needs, to be implemented within the framework of China\u2019s committed support.<\/p>\n
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These steps render the palace’s rehabilitation an act that reflects the state\u2019s return to its rightful place and its readiness to enter a new phase\u2014one that requires renewing historic alliances with sincere partners and using them wisely.<\/p>\n
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In this context, the recent speech by China\u2019s representative at the UN Security Council laid a political cornerstone atop the economic foundation. He clearly affirmed support for Sudan\u2019s Hope Government, stating that the appointment of a civilian Prime Minister was a positive step deserving of support, and that Sudan alone holds the right to determine its political path\u2014calling for respect of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.<\/p>\n
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Observers commended this stance as reflecting China\u2019s international philosophy of positive neutrality and respect for national particularity\u2014traits that make China more accepted in Africa than traditional powers.<\/p>\n
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Hence, this historical moment calls on Sudanese people and the state alike to rise to the challenge, and to understand clearly that China is not merely an economic partner, but a partner in national renaissance. If a clear vision is outlined\u2014one that is based on supreme national interests rather than political fluctuations\u2014then Khartoum can greatly benefit from this enduring and productive alliance, grounded in the deep ties between both peoples.<\/p>\n
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It affirms that the Sudanese state, despite the challenges it faces, is still capable of asserting its presence\u2014if it reads its alliances wisely, understands its priorities, and moves toward rebuilding itself away from illusions and close to reality.<\/p>\n
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And if war has exhausted Sudan, then peace and development can swiftly revive it\u2014provided there is genuine will, a clear vision, and true partners. Foremost among these remains China, the old friend who never abandoned Sudan, and who still believes that loyalty to relationships built on respect and mutual appreciation\u2014\u201clove\u201d (al-reeda)\u2014in politics as in poetry, never dies if it is sincere.<\/p>\n
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Wishing you well and in good health.<\/p>\n
Sunday, July 6, 2025<\/p>\n
Shglawi55@gmail.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Face of Truth | Ibrahim Shglawi Sudan and China\u2026 \u201cLove, and Renewed Again\u201d With this poetic title\u2014borrowed from the opening of one of Abdel Karim Al-Kabli\u2019s celebrated poems that immortalized renewed commitment and elevated the values of appreciation and loyalty\u2014we enter the realm of international relations through a Sudanese cultural lens. It is a \u201crenewed …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":18972,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[92],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aswatnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19159"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aswatnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aswatnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aswatnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aswatnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19159"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/aswatnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19159\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19160,"href":"https:\/\/aswatnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19159\/revisions\/19160"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aswatnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/18972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aswatnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aswatnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aswatnews.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}