China strives to save captured countrymen in South Sudan

(February 04.02.2012) The Chinese government "will exert every possible pressure" on the southern Sudan to secure the release of 29 fellow workers kidnapped last January 29. Beijing has sent a team of officials to the country, which is seeking the support of neighboring states for the safe return of workers. In the meantime, however, the national media call these episodes "sporadic", although it is already the third kidnapping of Chinese in Sudan since 2004.According to the Xinhua government news agency, "the 29 employees of Sinohydro Corporation were kidnapped on the border with South Kordofan. The Sudan People's Liberation Movement is responsible for the attack: the workers affected were originally 47, but 18 of these managed to escape. One of them was wounded by gunshots and is missing: there is little hope that he is still alive. "The Chinese government faces enormous internal pressure for the liberation of the workers. At the same time Beijing wants to maintain good relations with the newly independent oil-rich southern Sudan. China National Petroleum and Sinopec, the Chinese energy giant, has several investments in the area: 5% of the imported oil comes from here, about 12.99 million barrels a year. Despite these investments, however, the locals are suspicious of the Chinese presence, which promotes anti-democratic dictatorships, destroying the local market and taking possession of raw materials.