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Chinese leader boosts Sudan ties Chinese leader boosts Sudan ties
(about 6 hours later)
Chinese President Hu Jintao has agreed on a series of economic deals in Sudan, which China has protected from UN sanctions over the Darfur conflict.Chinese President Hu Jintao has agreed on a series of economic deals in Sudan, which China has protected from UN sanctions over the Darfur conflict.
The deals include grants, loans, a new presidential palace, as well as schools and roads. China already buys most of Sudan's oil. China announced an interest-free loan to build a new presidential palace, and said it would build two schools. China already buys most of Sudan's oil.
Western countries want Mr Hu to put pressure on Sudan over Darfur, where some 200,000 have died since 2003. Mr Hu called for "dialogue" to find a peaceful solution in Darfur.
It is not clear whether he urged Sudan to accept United Nations peacekeepers. Western countries have urged him to put pressure on Sudan over the conflict, in which 200,000 people have died.
CHINA, SUDAN TIES China buys some 400,000 barrels of oil a day from SudanChina financed Sudan's oil pipelineChina sells weapons to SudanChina to build new presidential palace for SudanChina uses UN Security Council veto to help SudanCHINA, SUDAN TIES China buys some 400,000 barrels of oil a day from SudanChina financed Sudan's oil pipelineChina sells weapons to SudanChina to build new presidential palace for SudanChina uses UN Security Council veto to help Sudan
Mr Hu did mention Darfur in his discussion with Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir.Mr Hu did mention Darfur in his discussion with Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir.
Some reports suggest that the Chinese leader did stress that Mr Bashir should do more to end the violence, but others suggest the focus of their talks was economic ties. Only Sudanese and Chinese journalists were allowed to see the discussion.
Sudan's Suna news agency said Mr Hu called for "speedy political discussions and involvement" of more rebel factions "in the process, so that Sudan would enjoy comprehensive stability". Xinhua, China's state-owned news agency, quoted Mr Hu as saying: "Any solution [in Darfur] needs to respect the sovereignty of Sudan and be based on dialogue."
He reportedly said that the United Nations and the African Union both had constructive roles to play and that wisdom and creativity were needed to achieve peace.
The rest of the day was devoted to cementing the strong economic ties between the two countries.
China has used its veto at the UN Security Council to block moves to impose sanctions on Sudan unless it stops the fighting in Darfur.China has used its veto at the UN Security Council to block moves to impose sanctions on Sudan unless it stops the fighting in Darfur.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in the capital, Khartoum, says the Sudanese government meanwhile has violated numerous ceasefire agreements, bombing civilians and launching ground assaults - often with weapons bought directly from China.The BBC's Jonah Fisher in the capital, Khartoum, says the Sudanese government meanwhile has violated numerous ceasefire agreements, bombing civilians and launching ground assaults - often with weapons bought directly from China.
As the main investor in Sudan and a key trading partner, China could have played a key role in trying to resolve the war in Darfur, he says.As the main investor in Sudan and a key trading partner, China could have played a key role in trying to resolve the war in Darfur, he says.
The UN wants to take control of the beleaguered African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur but Mr Bashir opposes this, saying the UN should only provide logistical support.The UN wants to take control of the beleaguered African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur but Mr Bashir opposes this, saying the UN should only provide logistical support.
They came to our help, they did not impose any conditions on us and so we had to take them Ali Abdulla AliSudanese economist 'Peaceful rise' draws criticismThey came to our help, they did not impose any conditions on us and so we had to take them Ali Abdulla AliSudanese economist 'Peaceful rise' draws criticism
Hundreds of people, Sudanese and Chinese, lined the streets of Khartoum to welcome Mr Hu at the start of his two-day visit - the first to Sudan by a Chinese leader.Hundreds of people, Sudanese and Chinese, lined the streets of Khartoum to welcome Mr Hu at the start of his two-day visit - the first to Sudan by a Chinese leader.
Sudan's economy is growing at close to 10% a year and much of that is down to its relationship with China.Sudan's economy is growing at close to 10% a year and much of that is down to its relationship with China.
In the 1980s and 1990s, when human rights abuses and civil war forced Western companies to pull out, China stepped in.In the 1980s and 1990s, when human rights abuses and civil war forced Western companies to pull out, China stepped in.
Beijing financed a 1,600km (1,000 miles) pipeline, taking oil from the south to Port Sudan on the Red Sea.Beijing financed a 1,600km (1,000 miles) pipeline, taking oil from the south to Port Sudan on the Red Sea.
Exports are now close to 500,000 barrels per day, with about 80% of that going directly to China.Exports are now close to 500,000 barrels per day, with about 80% of that going directly to China.
'No conditions''No conditions'
Sudanese economist Ali Abdulla Ali said working with China made sense.Sudanese economist Ali Abdulla Ali said working with China made sense.
"When they came in, they wanted to help us to produce the oil because they needed it. So you really can't say much about that," he told the BBC."When they came in, they wanted to help us to produce the oil because they needed it. So you really can't say much about that," he told the BBC.
"They came to our help, they did not impose any conditions on us and so we had to take them.""They came to our help, they did not impose any conditions on us and so we had to take them."
Our reporter says it is the lack of conditions which Beijing attaches to its business relationships which so infuriates Western governments.Our reporter says it is the lack of conditions which Beijing attaches to its business relationships which so infuriates Western governments.
Mr Hu is visiting Sudan on the latest leg of his eight-country African tour.Mr Hu is visiting Sudan on the latest leg of his eight-country African tour.
He arrived from Liberia, where he signed a number of aid and investment deals.He arrived from Liberia, where he signed a number of aid and investment deals.
China is becoming a major trading partner for countries across Africa, not just Sudan.China is becoming a major trading partner for countries across Africa, not just Sudan.