On May 6, the handover ceremony of the China-aided Jur River Bridge project in South Sudan was held in Juba. Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan Ma Qiang, Minister of South Roads and Bridges Miyok, Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism Zakaria, Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal Sarah and Deputy Foreign Minister Mundai attended the ceremony and delivered speeches. Mu Jianjun, Economic and Commercial Counselor of our Embassy, officials from the South Road and Bridge Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the West Bahr el Ghazal Prefecture and representatives of our project to aid South China attended the event.
Governor Sala said that China has long supported the peace process and socio-economic development in South Sudan, and Western Bahr el Ghazal State has benefited a lot. The government and local people of Western Bahr el Ghazal Prefecture are heartily grateful to the Chinese government for its assistance in the construction of the Jur River Bridge, which will greatly promote the interconnection and agricultural and economic development of all parts of the state.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mengdai spoke highly of the importance and positive impact of the project on the bilateral relations between South Sudan and China, saying that it is the most precious gift from China to the people of South Sudan, and believes that with the joint efforts of both sides, China-South Africa relations will reach a new level.
Minister Miyok expressed his deep gratitude to the Chinese Government and people. He said that China and South Africa have close cooperation in the field of road and bridge construction and technical talent empowerment, and the Zhuer River Bridge, which is selflessly assisted by the Chinese government, will become a new landmark in Wau City and even South Sudan, and this magnificent bridge is a new achievement of mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries, and hopes that more Chinese enterprises will come to South Africa to invest and do business in the future, mutual benefit and win-win results, and help South Africa's economic and social development.
Envoy Ma Qiang pointed out that the transportation industry is an important support and strong guarantee for economic and social development. Wau has a superior geographical location, abundant resources and unique development conditions, but its economic potential is inhibited by factors such as infrastructure construction. After the completion of the new bridge, it will efficiently connect the people on both sides of the Jur River, increase employment opportunities, and inject new vitality into the local economic and social development.
Ambassador Ma highly affirmed the hard work of the builders of China and South Africa, and pointed out that it has been nearly 13 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa, and the two countries have carried out many practical cooperation in the fields of energy, infrastructure, medical and health care, and education, and the results are gratifying. The completion of the China-aided Zhuer River Bridge in South China is an important achievement in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, and will also become a new milestone on the road of cooperation between China and South Africa. It is believed that under the guidance of the leaders of the two countries and through the joint efforts of both sides, China-South Africa relations will continue to deepen and achieve steady and long-term development.
Witnessed by the guests, Ambassador Ma Qiang and Minister Miyok signed the project handover certificate. The event was reported by local mainstream media such as South Sudan National Television, Radio Miraya, Dawn, and City Review, as well as Xinhua News Agency, CGTN, etc.