We support South Sudan’s path with own characteristics: China to SPLM-IO
China has strongly refuted allegations by a section of South Sudanese politicians that Beijing is trying to impose its ideologies on Juba.
The Chinese Embassy in South Sudan said that the Communist Party of China (CPC)’s primary work is to cater for the needs of the people of China.
“We would like to point out that in China, all power in the state belongs to the people,” the statement read partly.
“Guided by the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith and with a commitment to the greater good and shared interests, China endeavours to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with South Sudan and other developing countries and safeguard the common interests of the developing world,” it added.
The National Assembly’s first deputy speaker, Nathaniel Oyet, had raised concerns about the perceived close relationship between the Communist Party of China and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) while speaking to No 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper.
“We are shocked at what the SPLM has to learn from the Communist, the Chinese People’s Party, the Communist Party of China; we understand probably that the SPLM-IG might have a lot in common; by their practise now, they don’t want political space now, and so forth,” Oyet said.
Oyet, who is also the deputy chair of the SPLM-IO, claimed that China-South Sudan is a threat to the country’s democracy.
He argued that the CPC does promote democratic space, and hence its relationship with the SPLM is contrary to the very ideals of the ruling party.
But China responded to these allegations: “In China, all power of the state belongs to the people. China has established the foundational, basic, and important political systems, one of which is called the CPC-led multiparty cooperation and political consultation. The systems through which the people run the country have expanded democratic channels and diversified the forms of democracy, so as to ensure that people participate in various ways in the management of state, economic, cultural, and social affairs in accordance with the law” adding that the relationship between the CPC and SPLM is based purely on developmental agendas for the people and not political ideologies.
“Over the past 16 years, the CPC and the SPLM have established friendly cooperative relations, contributing to the development of bilateral relations and benefiting the two peoples of China and South Sudan,” reads the statement seen by The City Review.
The embassy further argued that its model of governance works for the people of China, adding that it will not force its political system on anyone.
“We do not want to “import” models from other countries, nor do we want to “export” the Chinese model; nor will we ask other countries to copy the Chinese practise. We firmly believe that each country should maintain a firm grasp on the future of its own development and progress.” continued the statement, “the CPC will continue to carry on friendly cooperation with the SPLM and other political parties in South Sudan and support South Sudan in pursuing a development path that suits its own national conditions to achieve development and revitalisation at an early date.”
The SPLM party secretary-general, Lam Both, last month visited Beijing and signed a memorandum of understanding on many things, including physical infrastructure.
The trip is now raising concerns among the opposition parties about the future of democracy in the country.
