China bets on early port and power deals in Sudan to secure post-war economic edge

China is moving early to secure a role in Sudan’s reconstruction, pursuing port and power agreements with the army-backed government while the war continues and many Western countries maintain only a limited presence.

One expert also said Beijing was using the prospect of future investment as a bilateral incentive to encourage warring parties to cease hostilities.

Sudan signed an agreement with the China Harbour Engineering Company in July to upgrade existing ports and build new ones. Meanwhile, Siyuan Energy has agreed to assess damaged power stations and supply transformers and mobile substations, while Hunan Construction is considering hybrid power projects.

“Sudan appears to [have] become the next test case for China’s peace-through-development approach,” said Tim Zajontz, interim professor of international relations at the University of Freiburg.

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Although many foreign embassies, including that of the United States, suspended operations after fighting began, China maintained diplomatic operations in Port Sudan.