Transcript of Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan Ma Qiang’s Exclusive Interview with The City Review

On March 26th, the mainstream media outlet of South Sudan, The City Review, published an interview transcript with Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan H.E. MA Qiang. The full text is as follows:

The City Review：Warm wishes, H.E. Amb. MA Qiang and the embassy, for the inception of the Chinese New Year. What are you most looking forward to this new year?

MA Qiang：Thank you, and I wish all the staff of the City Review a Happy New Year and all the best!

China attaches great importance to China-Africa relations. We're just two months into 2026 and Chinese President Xi Jinping has already sent three letters or messages to our African brothers: a letter of congratulation on the opening ceremony of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, a reply letter to veterans of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle, and a congratulatory message to the African Union Summit for the 14th year running. It's clear from these messages that China's top leader wants the torch of China-Africa friendship to be passed from generation to generation, and Africa can count on China's steadfast support for its development and revitalization.

On March 8, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister, answered questions from Chinese and foreign media about China's foreign policy and external relations. During the press conference, he pointed out that China will host multiple African leaders in 2026, and will fully implement zero-tariff treatment to cover 100% of tariff lines for all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China, including South Sudan, starting May 1, 2026. Also, the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges was officially launched, with nearly 600 exciting events to take place.

As the Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, in 2026, I will follow the direction set by Chinese leaders to promote closer relations between China and South Sudan, enrich our inter-party exchanges, and deepen the friendship between our two peoples, especially the youth. I also hope that City Review and South Sudanese media friends will introduce more stories about China and the friendship between China and South Sudan.

The City Review：The Juba-Rumbek Highway constructed by the Chinese enterprise has been relaunched this January, could you share with us the key infrastructure projects that China will launch in South Sudan in 2026, and their strategic impacts?

MA Qiang：There is a Chinese proverb that goes, "To get rich, build roads first." The Juba-Rumbek Highway Project is a key outcome of the 2018 meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Salva Kiir Mayardit. It is South Sudan's first "oil-for-development, oil-for-infrastructure" project. Work on the project resumed in January of this year, and I attended the relaunch ceremony alongside Hon. Adut Salva Kiir, the Senior Presidential Envoy for Special Programs. Shandong Hi-Speed Co. Ltd. (SDHS), the Chinese company responsible for the project, is currently actively preparing for the construction work. We are confident that, with the support of the government of South Sudan, the project will proceed smoothly and contribute to the country's economic development.

In 2026, we will also witness the successful completion of projects such as the project of Phase II of the renovation and expansion of Juba Teaching Hospital and the project of Borehole Drilling and Water Supply. In addition, China Harbour Engineering Company is maintaining close communication and coordination with relevant departments of South Sudanese government to expedite the implementation of the air traffic management system at an early date, thereby ensuring South Sudan's full sovereignty over its airspace and increasing its non-oil revenue.

The City Review：During his recent visits to AU Ethiopia, Tanzania and Lesotho in January, Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi said, since the successful conclusion of 2024 FOCAC summit, through joint efforts made by China and African countries, over 90% of the FOCAC Beijing Summit's objectives have been implemented or enjoyed significant progress. Can you tell us more details?

MA Qiang：Thank you, City Review, for your interest in China's diplomacy. This marks the 36th consecutive year for the Chinese Foreign Minister to make Africa his first overseas destination at the start of the year. Doing one thing consistently for 36 years not only reflects the deep friendship of the Chinese people toward the African people but also demonstrates that China will always be a trustworthy friend of Africa.

More than a year has passed since September 2024, thanks to the joint efforts of China and Africa, a large number of major projects have moved forward, while 301 "small and beautiful" projects are progressing smoothly. China-Africa passenger flights increased by 23%. Nearly 1000 medical aid team members have been dispatched to Africa to provide free medical services, and more than 200 agricultural experts have been assigned to work in Africa. China-Africa trade has reached a historic high of $348 billion in 2025, growing by 17.7%. We believed that we will see even more outcomes of economic and trade cooperation as China implement zero-tariff treatment to cover 100% of tariff lines for all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China, including South Sudan.

The City Review：China has anchored her rapid economic growth and social development on a blueprint drawn by the five-year plans. What key lessons can developing nations, as young as South Sudan, learn from Chinese governance to realize long-term economic development and social wellbeing?

MA Qiang：The scientific formulation and consistent implementation of Five-Year Plans is an important experience in the CPC's governance and a significant political strength of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Observing the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, I see the following features in China's governance: Firstly, it emphasizes the formulation and implementation of medium-term and long-term development plans. Through scientific planning, it optimizes resource allocation, maintains policy consistency and stability, and concentrates efforts to accomplish large and significant undertakings. Secondly, it adheres to a people-centered development philosophy, ensuring all major decisions are made in the people's interests, with poverty reduction and livelihood improvement as top priorities. Thirdly, it insists on following an independent development path suited to national conditions, attaching importance to infrastructure construction, promoting industrial upgrading through technological innovation, and actively participating in global trade.

The City Review：Can you introduce what contributions China has made to the health sector of South Sudan, and what role China will play in the long run?

MA Qiang：Healthcare is closely linked to the well-being of the people. As early as 1971, China began sending medical teams to what was then Southern Sudan to provide medical care in places such as Juba, Wau, and Malakal. From 1971 to 1985, China sent 15 groups totaling 344 medical personnel to South Sudan, but the program was later forced to cease due to conflict. Since 2005, China has participated in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, deploying a military medical team stationed in Wau. Since 2012, the Chinese government resumed sending medical teams to South Sudan. To date, it has dispatched 13 batches totaling 196 personnel to serve in Juba and other places, providing medical care to nearly 100,000 patients.

In addition, we have been actively providing hardware support by aiding in the construction of the Kiir Mayadit Women's Hospital, completing the renovation and expansion of the Juba Teaching Hospital, and currently advancing the Phase II, as well as donating large quantities of medicines and medical equipment to South Sudan every year. Going forward, China will deepen cooperation in areas such as talent development, infectious disease prevention and control, and telemedicine, with a view to continuously improving the health and well-being of the people of South Sudan.

The City Review：So far, how many South Sudanese have benefited from China's capacity building programs and what should we expect under such cooperation this year?  

MA Qiang：Since 2012, China has provided capacity-building training and government scholarships to South Sudan every year. To date, more than 5,000 South Sudanese from various sectors have traveled to China for training, and hundreds of South Sudanese students have gone to China to pursue higher education. This year, we will take the "China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges" as an opportunity to organize more training programs tailored to South Sudan's needs, with the aim of cultivating more outstanding talents in fields such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and engineering.

The City Review：Development cooperation goes hand-in-hand with peace, stability and institutional development. What role is China playing in South Sudan peace process ahead of the anticipated elections and democratic transition?  

MA Qiang：As Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated, "Poverty is the root cause of chaos, peace is the guarantee for development and development holds the key to solving all problems. " No one understands South Sudan better than its own people. South Sudan has a tradition of consultation and good experience in successfully mediating regional hot-spot issues. We believe that the people of South Sudan have the wisdom and ability to resolve their own issues. As a good friend and partner, China will always respect South Sudan's sovereignty and independence, and provide necessary assistance to support South Sudan in accelerating development, eradicating poverty, and achieving lasting peace.

The City Review：The current geopolitical landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, with some observers envisioning a compete new world order. What's your general view on the changes witnessed across the globe currently and what's China's foreign policy amidst the crises?

MA Qiang：In today's world, changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace, transformation and turbulence are intertwined, and hegemonism and power politics are asserting themselves. In particular, some armed conflicts are taking place in some regions recently, which severely undermined regional peace and stability. As always, I believe that major countries should not make use of their military advantages to arbitrarily attack other countries, and the world must not slip back to the law of the jungle. Any moves that violate international law should be resisted by the international community, and basic norms governing international relations should be jointly upheld.

Under such circumstances, China, South Sudan and the other nations of the Global South should forge great confidence and unity, speak up for peace and empower development, promote the international community to practice true multilateralism and uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law.

China will continue to play a constructive role, stand firm for justice in platforms such as the UN Security Council, work for peace, and stop the conflicts. Also, we should advocate a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, foster an open world economy, firmly uphold the multilateral trading system, and promote openness to share opportunities and achieve win-win outcomes.

The City Review：What should the public expect from the Beijing-Juba cooperation moving forward? 

MA Qiang：China is the world's largest developing country, while South Sudan is the world's youngest country. There is huge potential for cooperation between our two sides. China will continue to strengthen cooperation with South Sudan in various fields, and welcome South Sudan to board the "express train" of China's development and realize its modernization at an early date. Here, I would also like to announce a good news: a donation of more than 3000 tonnes of rice and wheat from China to South Sudan will soon arrive in Juba. This will help ease the humanitarian situation in South Sudan and promote peace and stability.