KHARTOUM, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Sudan on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to participating in China's Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative and working to achieve its main objectives.
"There is a standing deeply-rooted relationship between Sudan and China," Awad Ahmed al-Jaz, a Sudanese presidential assistant in charge of maintaining the Sudan-China relations, spoke at a symposium entitled "the Arab-China Cooperation and the Silk Road Initiative."
He said that there is "a joint willingness for enhancing the cooperation and achieving benefits without intervention in the affairs of one another."
Al-Jaz added that Sudan is committed to playing "a key role" in implementing the Belt and Road Initiative.
Chinese Ambassador to Sudan Li Lianhe reiterated the importance of the B&R Initiative in strengthening the spirit of regional cooperation and creating positive participation among countries.
Li said the initiative will helps encourage and promote trade, financial integration and exchanges among nations.
Ali Yousif Ahmed, executive director of the Arab-Chinese Friendship Societies' League, an affiliate of the Arab League based in Sudan, also highlighted the importance of the initiative for the Arab countries.
"Our Arab world needs this initiative, which is likely to enhance the trade, initiate sustainable development and establish infrastructure projects," he said.
Put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.