South Sudan vows to strengthen infrastructure cooperation with China

JUBA, May 21 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan vowed on Tuesday to strengthen cooperation on infrastructural development with China to speed up transformation of the country following five years of turmoil.

Rebecca Joshua Okwaci, minister of roads and bridges, said China has provided strong support for South Sudan's peace and stability, including the country's national development, adding that Chinese engineers are currently helping the ministry to build the capacity of staff and construction personnel.

"With the advancement of South Sudan's peace process, South Sudan and China will strengthen cooperation in infrastructure construction and personnel training," Okwaci said in Juba.

Okwaci, meeting Chinese ambassador to South Sudan, Hua Ning, said her government will further improve the business environment and continue to provide safety to Chinese constructors across the country.

Infrastructure cooperation will speed up reconstruction and enhance resilience of local communities to shocks, the minister said.

Hua, for his part, said infrastructure construction is an important foundation that will spur South Sudan's future development, and that the road and bridge construction is a manifestation bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

"China will work with South Sudan to deepen the friendly cooperation in the field of infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable development, so as to benefit the South Sudanese people," Hua said.

In March, South Sudan reached an agreement with Chinese firm Shandong Hi-Speed Group Co., Ltd to embark on the construction of major highways linking the capital Juba to remote parts of the country.