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China's Support of Genocide in Sudan

As the UN Security Council and members of the international community struggle to end the atrocities taking place in Sudan, one of the biggest impediments to achieving peace is the government of China. In fact, the ability of the Sudanese government to persecute and kill is directly linked to the support provided by China. Here are a few facts:

Beijing, along with state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation, has invested over $2 billion in Sudan's oil infrastructure and owns 40 percent of Sudan's Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company Projects (GNOP), which produces an estimated 150,000 barrels of oil a day.

For the last six years the PRC has bought nearly 70 percent of Sudanese oil exports and supplied the Khartoum government with most of its weapons.

In the last 5 years, Beijing has poured $3 billion into the development of oil production infrastructure, including the building of a 1,000-mile pipeline and refinery. Investment has allowed the government of Sudan to fill its coffers and use its oil revenues to purchase the latest military equipment. Recent reports by human rights organizations marks China as Khartoum's main military supplier. At a time when the violence in Darfur continues and an arms embargo against Khartoum is justified, the Sudanese government instead is allowed to update its military. Amnesty International recently reported, " The Government of Sudan has used increases in oil revenues to fund a military capacity that has in turn been used to conduct war in Darfur, including carrying out violations of international human rights and humanitarian law."

The two previous UN Resolutions aimed at ending the violence in Darfur has failed to include any mention of oil sanctions against the Sudanese government. In the last year alone, the PRC's oil imports increased nearly 40 percent and any attempt to place sanctions of the Sudanese government would severely affect China's economic growth and political stability. With China's help as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Sudanese crude oil production will continue to fund the Jinjaweed militia and keep Darfur burning.

In the last 5 years, Beijing has poured $3 billion into the development of oil production infrastructure, including the building of a 1,000-mile pipeline and refinery. Investment has allowed the government of Sudan to fill its coffers and use its oil revenues to purchase the latest military equipment.

China in October signed a $70 billion oil deal with Iran, and the evolving ties between those two countries could complicate U.S. efforts to isolate Iran diplomatically or pressure it to give up its ambitions for nuclear weapons. China is also pursuing oil in Angola.

A recent report published in the state-controlled China Business News quotes a Chinese foreign affairs official as saying that Beijing "cooperates with the Sudan government" on security and has asked Khartoum to "send troops" to areas in which Chinese companies operate.

Why are people dying at the hands of the tyranical government of Sudan? It is all about money, oil and the strategic advantage China gains from the Sudan oil supply.

Sources:

Sudan Tribune

Prior Post: China's Interest in Sudan

More Information:

Summary of China's oil interest in Sudan

Latest News from Sudan

China's Oil Strategy - The Daily Star

Sudan Coverage - The Scotsman

Financing Mass Murder - "The dominant and most ruthless international player in Sudan's oil sector," Reeves writes, is "China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). After Goldman Sachs failed in 2000 to secure a $10 billion Initial Public Offering for CNPC, the Wall Street firm created a so-called financial 'cut-out,' which became the new entity 'PetroChina.' . . . Wholly controlled and 90 percent owned by CNPC, it lists on the New York Stock Exchange."