China, Sudan to boost exchanges between armed forces

BEIJING, April 3 (Xinhua) --

Senior generals of the Chinese and Sudanese armed forces agreed on Monday to extend cooperation.

"The Chinese armed forces would like to boost exchanges and cooperation with the Sudanese army," Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xu Caihou told visiting Sudanese Defense Minister Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein.

Xu said bilateral relations had entered a new stage in recent years as the cooperation in various fields was stepped up.

Relations between the two armed forces, an important part of bilateral relations, had developed smoothly and friendly cooperation had deepened, Xu said.

He also briefed guests on China's military development.

Abdel Rahim Mohamed Hussein, who arrived last Thursday on an official goodwill visit, said Sudan was committed to developing military relations and promoting cooperation with China.

He also appreciated China's stance on Sudan's western region of Darfur, which has been embroiled in a conflict since early 2003.

He reiterated the Sudanese government's stance on the one-China policy. Enditem


Editor: Mo Hong'e

Make of this what you like and speculate away

If China gives military aid to Sudan you can certainly expect the US to increase its aid to Chad. The countries are in a state of war but are just staring at each other, neither being powerful enough to do more than make a few cross border raids with militia troops and other small units. However, China and the US could fight a proxy conflict through Sudan and Chad. Throw in an oil pipeline in Chad that has been invested in by (I think) Exxon Mobil and oil in Southern Sudan (where US baked rebels hold sway) and this could get very interesting.

By the way, the US military provides the Chadian military with "anti-terrorist" training and aid. There have been rumours that US Spec Ops troops cooperated with Chadian forces in an operation to destroy secret Al Qaeda/Algerian militant/bandit/general islamic fanaticist camps in the Sahara.

This article had nothing solid in it. I don't see this as much more than a diplomatic gesture.