Chinese Government provides RMB 400 million grant — via January 2018 ETCA — for South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation Upgrading and Modernization Project (Linked to Record ID#60702, #59126)

In November 2014, South Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation sent a note to the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan, requesting assistance in the construction of radio and television facilities.

Then, in July 2017, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) officially approved the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation Upgrading and Modernization Project.

Roughly one year later, on June 12, 2018, the Chinese Government and the Government of South Sudan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding an RMB 400 million grant for the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation Upgrading and Modernization Project (captured via Record ID#58958).

The grant proceeds were drawn from an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ECTA) that the two governments signed on January 11, 2018 (as captured via Record ID#60702).

The purpose of the project was to construct a 120-meter broadcast tower for the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) in the capital city of Juba.

The project also involves the construction of a new, state-of-the-art TV studio production building with a total construction area of about 2,400 square meters.

The studio production building has two floors, including a TV studio, virtual studio, recording studio, master control room, launch room, office room, and related supporting facilities.

Additionally, the project includes the construction of a new launch room with a gross floor area of 400 square meters within the Gumbo launch pad site and a launch system will be provided. Upon completion, the new facilities will be equipped with modern equipment and digital trace transmitters. China Dalian International Economic and Technological Cooperation Group Co.

Ltd and Beijing Yutian Suocheng Technology Co. Ltd. are the contractors responsible for project implementation.

A supplementary agreement was signed by the parties on May 31, 2019 to speed up the expected start date of construction. In August 2019, construction activities commenced. Then, on September 6, 2019, a formal groundbreaking ceremony took place. The project was originally expected to reach completion within 24 months of the construction start date (August 2020).

However, project implementation was temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. Chinese project personnel returned to China on chartered flights in August and September 2020. Construction resumed in April 2021.

Then, in February 2022, Xu Song, the managing director of China Dalian International Economic and Technological Cooperation Group Co.

Ltd, said that his company had completed 85 percent of the project’s decoration, mechanical and electrical installation work. The project’s estimated completion date at that time was August 20, 2022. The handover ceremony for the completed project ultimately took place on August 22, 2023.