Chinese oil workers in Sudan kidnapped - aww crap not again

[Mithie]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa...ina/index.html

Now look - I've always been a staunch opposer to Chinese investment in Sudan, and not because of some human rights issues.

The reason I think sinking 62 billion dollars into Sudan is a bad idea is because so far, there's no profit or return in sight. The vast majority of that money is getting lost in the political instability of the nation, and into the pockets of corrupt Sudanese officials. There are plenty of other more stable, friendlier African oil producing nations who would be more than happy to accept Chinese money. It's just bad economics.

In fact, the only reason China is still invested in Sudan is because of historical ties - Sudan being a traditional ally of Chinese politics in the region. This superficial loyalty is not worth the billions of dollars being thrown into a trash bin while weathering ire from the international community. It was first thought that arms deals between Sudan and China might offset some of the red numbers, but recent tallying shows it doesn't even come close.

The US and Turkey has expressed over and over again that they'd be happy to invest in Sudan - if China were to pull out, so it's not like Sinopec's leaving would upset regional stability. This latest news - kidnapping of Chinese oil workers (following the kidnapping of Indian oil workers some time back) - further illustrates the fact that Sudan is a bad, bad idea.

[Heinz Guderian]

i dont think the Chinese are stupid. they'll get their investment back. they need more reliable oil suppliers to meet an exponentially growing demand. i dont think the Sudanese government would want American oil companies investing there. They dont like each other. China is following its energy interests like any rational IR actor. They invested billions into a gas field in Iran recently (and so did some EU countries)

[Mithie]

i dont think the Chinese are stupid. they'll get their investment back. they need more reliable oil suppliers to meet an exponentially growing demand.

Sudan is far from reliable. And right now - the only way China can get their investment back in the forseeable future is to liquidate and mobilze what's left of their assets and move somewhere else.

i dont think the Sudanese government would want American oil companies investing there.

I don't think the Sudanese government cares where the money is coming from.

China is following its energy interests like any rational IR actor. They invested billions into a gas field in Iran recently (and so did some EU countries)

Iran is a decent investment. I can see returns from that - but not Sudan. Not for at least several decades.

[Heinz Guderian]

Sudan is far from reliable. And right now - the only way China can get their investment back in the forseeable future is to liquidate and mobilze what's left of their assets and move somewhere else.

it is more reliable for the Chinese than SA or Iraq. Sudan is Africa's 3rd largest oil producer with 400k barrels a day which the Chinese are helping them increase to 600k/day. Thats good eating for Beijing.

I don't think the Sudanese government cares where the money is coming from.

the government is headed by an Islamic quasi-marxist revolutionary council= dont like Americans. Sudan has embargoes on it from the West. One of its few reliable export partners is China

Iran is a decent investment. I can see returns from that - but not Sudan. Not for at least several decades.

I disagree that it will take that long. Rockefeller knew the value of oil exploration and trade. People would kill for it (see north east of Sudan). The Chinese are shrewd businessmen. I wouldnt underestimate their strategic planning.

[shadyrome]

Nuke them, Sudan is a hell hole anyway.

[Heinz Guderian]

Nuke them, Sudan is a hell hole anyway.

that was exactly my next reply. thats just spooky.

[shadyrome]

that was exactly my next reply. thats just spooky.

[Exarch]

the americans are setting up permanent military bases in africa
why cant china do the same?

[Mithie]

the americans are setting up permanent military bases in africa
why cant china do the same?

Because Sudan is a terrible place.

[Exarch]

Because Sudan is a terrible place.

so's saudi arabia, but both have oil
and as someone else said, i the chinese move out, the yanks will hypocritically move in

[Mithie]

so's saudi arabia, but both have oil
and as someone else said, i the chinese move out, the yanks will hypocritically move in

Let them. Sudan makes Afghanistan look like Disneyland.