Between the CPA and Southern Independence: China’s Post-Conflict Engagement in Sudan

The document analyzes China's multifaceted engagement in Sudan from 2005 to 2011, highlighting a transition from a predominantly bilateral relationship with Khartoum to a more complex triangular relationship involving the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS). While China's role was heavily driven by oil interests and a preference for bilateralism, it increasingly adopted a 'peace through development' approach, providing infrastructure projects and humanitarian aid in Darfur and Southern Sudan. The paper notes a strategic recalibration as Beijing moved from supporting Sudanese unity to recognizing South Sudan's independence to protect its investments and maintain regional stability.

• China's economic relationship with northern Sudan was heavily dominated by oil, with China accounting for 72.6% of Sudan's exports and 20.7% of its imports in 2010.
• Beijing's approach to post-conflict engagement is defined by the belief in 'peace through development,' prioritizing economic modernization and infrastructure over political conditionality or normative blueprints.
• China's military cooperation with Khartoum, including arms transfers and training, created a contradiction with its public support for peace and made Chinese interests vulnerable to 'military blowback.'
• In Darfur, China's engagement shifted toward 'early recovery' through infrastructure projects, such as the Nyala water supply project and road construction connecting Khartoum to Darfur's state capitals.
• China's participation in UN peacekeeping via UNMIS and UNAMID served both logistical purposes and the goal of projecting a positive humanitarian image globally and domestically.
• China's relations with Southern Sudan underwent a strategic recalibration from supporting unity to accepting secession, catalyzed by a 2007 visit by Salva Kiir Mayardit to Beijing.
• The establishment of a Chinese consulate in Juba in September 2008 marked a shift toward a 'triangular' diplomatic relationship between Beijing, Khartoum, and Juba.
• China provided targeted development assistance to Southern Sudan, including 54 prefabricated primary schools, water wells, and financial support for demining training worth RMB 20 million.
• Despite its growing role, China's engagement in Southern Sudan was often viewed with suspicion due to its wartime support for the NIF and the perceived lack of civilian benefits from the oil sector.

APA

Large, D. (2012). Between the CPA and Southern Independence: China’s Post-Conflict Engagement in Sudan. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Occasional-Paper-115.pdf

Chicago

Large, Daniel. Between the CPA and Southern Independence: China’s Post-Conflict Engagement in Sudan. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2012. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Occasional-Paper-115.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Large |first1=Daniel |title=Between the CPA and Southern Independence: China’s Post-Conflict Engagement in Sudan |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=April 2012 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Occasional-Paper-115.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{large2012between, author = {Large, Daniel}, title = {{Between the CPA and Southern Independence: China’s Post-Conflict Engagement in Sudan}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2012}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Occasional-Paper-115.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }