A special train carrying 250 tons of aid materials donated by
the Chinese government left the Khartoum Railway Station on Monday
for Sudan's restive western region of Darfur.
The aid materials, including generators, water tankers and
medical equipment for 30 water stations and 25 rural hospitals, is
expected to arrive in Nyala, capital city of the South Darfur
State, in five days.
This is one part of a total of 80 million yuan Chinese support
to the Darfur region, which have been delayed by anti-government
riots and tribal clashes since February 2003.
Besides the humanitarian assistances, a Chinese engineer unit
consisting of 315 soldiers will be deployed in Darfur region in
early October, to take part in a hybrid peacekeeping operation run
by the United Nations and the African Union.
While addressing at a ceremony held for the aid delivery,
Sudanese Minister of Energy and Mining Awad Ahmed Mohamed al-Jaz
expressed his country's appreciation for the positions of China and
its support for the projects of development and public services in
Sudan, especially in Darfur.
He appreciated the Chinese support as critical for the peace and
stability in Darfur, saying it would promote the services and
encourage the return of the refugees and displaced people to their
homelands.
"We will start with the projects of water and health then the
ones of education, housing and electricity," the Sudanese minister
said.
Ahmed Mohammed Harun, the Sudanese minister of state for
humanitarian affairs, also thanks Chinese government for providing
such comprehensive support which covered all the vital fields.
He said this support indicated "the depth and solidity of the
relations between Sudan and China."
Thanks to the cohesion of the Sudanese people and the support of
Sudan's friends, the Darfur cause was moving steadily forward
towards a final solution, said Harun.
This was the third batch provided by the Chinese government and
the previous two had been delivered to the Darfur region.
Chinese Ambassador to Sudan Li Chengwen reiterated China's
support to the efforts exerted by the Sudanese government to
realize the social and political stability in Darfur for achieving
a final and lasting peace in the region.
"We are desirous to push the development process, promote the
production, enhance the services and provide the humanitarian
assistance for the citizens in Darfur," Li said.
(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2007)
