About The Event
The Third South Sudan-China Think Tank Forum, with the theme of “strengthening Partnership for Common Development”, was held in the east African country’s capital Juba on Friday, drawing experts and entrepreneurs to tap bilateral cooperation and resolve economic malaise in the country’s development.
The forum gathered over 50 attendees including government officials, scholars, and representatives from Chinese enterprises in South Sudan.
Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan Ma Qiang and Hon. Dak Duop Bichiok, South Sudan’s Minister of Public Service and Human Resource Development, attended the event.
Scholars and experts pooled wisdoms and sparked ideas on a wide range of issues such as research, involvement of women, youth and civil society groups in development and bilateral cooperation of the two countries.
“This year the Chinese side will continue to deepen cooperation in human resources development with South Sudan. We will hold five bilateral training courses and several dozen multilateral courses, further supporting South Sudan in enhancing its capacity building,” said Ma when delivering a keynote speech to the attendees.
South Sudanese scholars said they believe China has a key role to play in bringing peace and stability to the east African country. So far, the two countries have extended their cooperation into agriculture, forestry, minerals, and human resource development.
“This country needs partners which will help it to promote, make use, exploit its resources for the benefit of the people and the experience of China is a very good example in how they could develop their own country out of so many challenges,” said Barnaba Marial Benjamin, chairperson of South Sudan-China Friendship Association.
The South Sudan-China Think Tank Forum held its first meeting in 2019 in Juba, and this year’s forum was held under the theme of “strengthening Partnership for Common Development.”
Apart from strengthening bilateral cooperation, the annual event also intends to further promote academic research exchange between China and South Sudan by sharing stewardship on key topics like policy research, social and economic development, and environmental protection.
