China-Sudan partnership key to Khartoum's highway project
Updated: 2014-08-21 11:08
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||
KHARTOUM - The Western Salvation Highway, linking Sudan's Darfur and Kordofan regions with the capital Khartoum and some neighboring countries, has long been highly expected by local Sudanese in these areas, and thanks to the China-Sudan partnership, that goal will be materialized, a Sudanese minister said on Wednesday.
"The dream of the salvation highway is about to come true. We have completed 60 percent of the road at all sectors," Abdul-Wahid Yousif, Sudan's minister of roads and bridges, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.
|
|
Yousif also appreciated Chinese companies' willingness to complete the project work despite such difficulties as the security situation in Darfur and some areas in Kordofan.
"We appreciate the determination of the Chinese companies to carry on with the work under hard circumstances and unstable security conditions sometimes," noted the Sudanese minister.
He said that the Western Salvation Highway is another indicator for the benefits of the strategic partnership between Sudan and China.
The Western Salvation Highway extends for 1,200 km. The idea of building the road dates back to 1954, but it had not been implemented then due to many reasons, including lack of funding and instability in some areas in western Sudan.
The highway links the five states of Darfur, the three states of Kordofan and the Sudanese capital Khartoum. It also links Sudan with West and Central Africa, namely Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Central Africa Republic.
The highway program is funded by a Chinese loan amounting to $650 million and is being implemented by Chinese companies.
The Sudanese minister reiterated his ministry's commitment to provide the necessary security protection for the Chinese companies operating in areas of conflict in Darfur and Kordofan regions.
Chinese companies have previously experienced various attacks in Darfur and Kordofan, and many of their engineers and workers had been kidnapped.
On Jan 28, 2012, more than two dozens of Chinese workers were kidnapped in Sudan after their camp was attacked by local rebels, and were later released.
- Peking Opera artist honored in NYC
- Amazon to open Shanghai platform
- Opera legend honored in performances in NYC
- Who's causing California's real estate bubble?
- China using more natural gas
- Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer leaves board
- Top 10 most attractive Chinese cities at night
- Missouri governor lifts Ferguson curfew
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games |
Leading leaden lives |
Former security chief under probe |
China helps fight international war on drugs |
Crackdown on terrorist attacks |
My China Story: Meeting the master |
Today's Top News
US military mulls more troops to Iraq
Japan's view of history still rankles
Chinese, US attitudes on dementia vary
Young netted in drug abuse blitz
Obama vows long-term strategy against ISIL
Ministry says trade growth needs help to reach 7.5%
Antitrust probes 'won't deter investors'
Xi pledges to make China media more up to date
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |