***** "China's Foothold In Africa" *****
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China has become the leading arms supplier in Sudan as part of Beijing's strategy to plant, nurture and protect its oil interests on the African continent.

The Washington-based Jamestown Foundation stated in a report that China has recently become the fifth largest arms supplier to the African continent.

The report titled, "Beijing's Arms and Oil Interests In Africa," claimed that China has sold combat aircraft and helicopters to the Sudanese government.

The state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation, owns 40 percent in Sudan's largest oil venture. The Sino-Sudanese oil field project covers 82,000 square kilometers in southern Sudan and is expected to produce 15 million tons of crude oil per annum.

"China has pursued a policy that is entirely based on narrow economic interests and has been keen to supply the Sudanese government with fighter aircraft and an assortment of weaponry," the report authored by Ian Taylor stated.

"Apart from profits accrued from these arms sales, the policy helps consolidate and protect investment in Sudan's oil reserves," said the report.