South Sudan Tables Demands For Chinese Oil Firms

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit has called for the review of contracts of Chinese oil companies operating in the country.

President Kiir who met visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jei Chi in Juba said the terms of operation for all Chinese firms and other oil exploration companies will be reviewed.

The President reiterated South Sudan’s commitment to maintain mutual relationship with Khartoum and appealed to the Chinese government to petition the Khartoum government not to block the oil pipelines.

The two neighbours are yet to agree on oil distribution mechanisms with the Khartoum government insisting on imposing high transit fees on the South Sudan oil as it uses her pipeline.

On development, the President singled infrastructure as the major backbone that needed immediate attention.

“South Sudan needs help from China on such areas as education, health, roads and agriculture”, he said.

On his part, minister Chi said his country is ready to cooperate with South Sudan in addressing the basic and economic demands in a bid to uplift the living standards of the people in the country, one of the world’s poorest countries.

He also revealed that the Chinese President Hu Jin Tao had extended an invitation to President Kiir to visit China within this year.

“China will maintain high level contacts and exchange of visits by delegations from different fields including governance, and education among other sectors”, said Chi.

Article viewed at: Oye! Times at www.oyetimes.com