A special train carrying 250 tons of aid materials donated by the Chinese government left the Khartoum Railway Station on Monday for Sudan's restive western region of Darfur.

 

The aid materials, including generators, water tankers and medical equipment for 30 water stations and 25 rural hospitals, is expected to arrive in Nyala, capital city of the South Darfur State, in five days.

 

This is one part of a total of 80 million yuan Chinese support to the Darfur region, which have been delayed by anti-government riots and tribal clashes since February 2003.

 

Besides the humanitarian assistances, a Chinese engineer unit consisting of 315 soldiers will be deployed in Darfur region in early October, to take part in a hybrid peacekeeping operation run by the United Nations and the African Union.

 

While addressing at a ceremony held for the aid delivery, Sudanese Minister of Energy and Mining Awad Ahmed Mohamed al-Jaz expressed his country's appreciation for the positions of China and its support for the projects of development and public services in Sudan, especially in Darfur.

 

He appreciated the Chinese support as critical for the peace and stability in Darfur, saying it would promote the services and encourage the return of the refugees and displaced people to their homelands.

 

"We will start with the projects of water and health then the ones of education, housing and electricity," the Sudanese minister said.

 

Ahmed Mohammed Harun, the Sudanese minister of state for humanitarian affairs, also thanks Chinese government for providing such comprehensive support which covered all the vital fields.

 

He said this support indicated "the depth and solidity of the relations between Sudan and China."

 

Thanks to the cohesion of the Sudanese people and the support of Sudan's friends, the Darfur cause was moving steadily forward towards a final solution, said Harun.

 

This was the third batch provided by the Chinese government and the previous two had been delivered to the Darfur region.

 

Chinese Ambassador to Sudan Li Chengwen reiterated China's support to the efforts exerted by the Sudanese government to realize the social and political stability in Darfur for achieving a final and lasting peace in the region.

 

"We are desirous to push the development process, promote the production, enhance the services and provide the humanitarian assistance for the citizens in Darfur," Li said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2007)