2023 year 4 month 15 On [date], fighting broke out in the Khartoum area of the Sudanese capital, and the Chinese mission to Sudan... 1500 More than a dozen Chinese nationals and Chinese-funded institutions are facing grave security risks. The Party Central Committee has attached great importance to this issue, and General Secretary Xi Jinping has issued important instructions on strengthening the safety and protection of Chinese citizens and institutions in Sudan. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the military, various government departments, local people’s governments, Chinese enterprises, and Chinese embassies and consulates abroad have coordinated closely, arranging for seamless connections among buses, warships, oil tankers, and aircraft. Nantong Construction Engineering Sudan Branch 9 Employees and 1500 More than a hundred Chinese nationals were safely evacuated from war-torn Sudan, in 15 Over the course of a single day and night, a real-life “Journey Home Across Ten Thousand Li” unfolded.

War breaks out

4 month 15 On [date], armed clashes suddenly erupted in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, between government forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Fighter jets roared overhead day after day, and the incessant sounds of gunfire and artillery shelling wrought devastation to critical infrastructure—including water, electricity, communications, roads, and buildings—and even bombed airports and civilian passenger aircraft. On that very day, the Chinese Embassy in Sudan urgently issued its first security advisory, urging Chinese citizens and institutions in Sudan to remain on high alert, avoid going outdoors, and guard against stray bullets. As the armed conflict quickly spread to multiple cities, the Embassy issued another security reminder the following evening, calling on Chinese citizens and institutions in Sudan to closely monitor the situation and step up security precautions.

On the day the civil war broke out in Sudan, Zhang Xiangyang, Chairman of the Group, promptly instructed the Sudan branch to, under the leadership of the Chinese Embassy in Sudan, do everything possible to ensure the safety of all personnel. In accordance with Chairman Zhang’s instructions, Pei Yonghong, General Manager of the Sudan branch, immediately organized the formulation and activation of an emergency security plan. To avoid being hit by stray bullets, all staff and guests at our Khartoum Nantong Hotel were evacuated to the second basement level, while project and farm employees were relocated to temporary reinforced-concrete shelters. 4 month 17 On [date], a Chinese expert staying at our Nantong Hotel sustained minor injuries while descending the stairs to evacuate. 1 A stray bullet pierced the wall, scattering numerous fragments and causing a graze on the expert’s forehead and an embedded foreign object in his left leg. Without prompt medical attention, the injuries could have led to serious complications. The Sudan branch promptly arranged for hotel staff to disinfect and dress the wound, while simultaneously reporting the incident to the Chinese Embassy in Sudan. Amid intense fighting between the warring factions in Sudan, the branch coordinated video consultations and guidance from the Chinese medical assistance team, and arranged for a local Chinese expatriate clinic to provide on-site treatment, ultimately ensuring the Chinese expert’s safe recovery.

Prepare to evacuate

4 month 21 Today marks Eid al-Fitr. Khartoum has endured days of intense fighting, resulting in extensive damage to critical infrastructure, with intermittent disruptions to communications and power supplies. The international airport has sustained severe damage and is now closed indefinitely, further heightening security concerns and prompting increased calls for the evacuation of Chinese nationals in Sudan. Meanwhile, the warring parties in Sudan have announced a ceasefire. 72 hours, since 21 Morning 6 Effective from this moment, a valuable “safety window” for the evacuation operation has emerged for the first time.

4 month 23 Late one night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ task force dispatched to Sudan was ordered to set out, while many Chinese nationals in Sudan stayed awake through the night. The news that the Chinese Embassy in Sudan planned to organize a mass evacuation of Chinese citizens in Khartoum the following day filled everyone with excitement and anticipation. After a comprehensive assessment of the security situation and careful comparison of various routes, the Consular Protection Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducted repeated “table-top simulations” and ultimately selected a coordinated land–sea–air evacuation route: first transporting personnel by land from Khartoum to Port Sudan, then transferring them by sea from Port Sudan to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and finally repatriating them to China via air flights from Jeddah. Although this route later proved to be safe, it nonetheless encountered numerous obstacles and perilous situations due to the evolving battlefield conditions and ongoing hostilities.

Meanwhile, the Sudan branch is also expediting all pre-evacuation preparations, conducting an inventory of daily necessities, and ensuring the safe storage of the company’s critical documents and records. , Conduct an inventory and reorganization of the company’s facilities and assets, and make advance arrangements for the post-evacuation utilization of the Nantong Hotel, farm, and SOBA Implement on-site security measures at the project office, conduct an inventory and handover of relevant facilities and assets, and clearly define associated responsibilities. After the heads of each site have evacuated, make every effort to maintain weekly 2-3 Contact them again and take photos to report the latest safety information. Daily. 24 Conduct hourly shift duty to promptly obtain the latest military engagement updates and identify key areas of intense fighting; maintain timely communication with the Chinese Embassy in Sudan; and report daily to the domestic headquarters on the most recent security intelligence.

Transfer to Port Sudan

4 month 24 Effective today, the Chinese Embassy in Sudan has been organizing the phased and orderly evacuation of Chinese nationals and overseas Chinese. This morning 9 At that time, after the Sudan branch contacted the Chinese Embassy in Sudan to verify the information and confirm its accuracy, it immediately arranged for the evacuation. The heads of all departments (including the project office) promptly followed the emergency response plan to complete handover procedures with local police and security personnel as well as with Sudanese staff, conveyed instructions on post-evacuation arrangements, locked down critical facilities, and then carried out an orderly, department-by-department evacuation to the embassy to await further assistance. At noon 12 time 30 With the arduous efforts of the Chinese Embassy in Sudan, the branch was established. 9 Employees and 400 Several Chinese individuals boarded separately. 9 The bus finally set off. The journey from Khartoum to Port Sudan requires traversing the frontline area where the warring parties are exchanging fire. Along the way, the evacuation convoy successively encountered 6 At every checkpoint, they were repeatedly stopped and searched by armed soldiers. Through repeated, well-reasoned and measured negotiations by embassy personnel, they consistently gained understanding and respect, ultimately being allowed to pass through safely.

4 month 25 Early morning 1 At last, the convoy arrived at the assembly and resettlement site in Port Sudan—the headquarters camp of China Harbour Engineering Company. In accordance with the guiding principles issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the Port Sudan Project Office of China Harbour Engineering Company promptly vacated the camp, prepared meals, and took inventory of daily necessities, ensuring that the Sudan branch… 9 Chinese nationals from various cities who had gathered here were provided with meals and rest. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Sudan promptly escalated their efforts—reaching out to senior Sudanese government officials as well as grassroots-level officials—and ultimately secured the commitment of port authorities to dispatch dedicated personnel to the temporary resettlement site, where they swiftly processed exit procedures for each Chinese citizen awaiting evacuation.

Given that more than a thousand evacuees were assembled at the camp within a short period, China Harbour’s staffing was severely inadequate, sharply increasing the difficulty of reception and accommodation. In this situation, the Sudan Branch promptly dispatched its employee Zhao Dongdong to join the volunteer team, where he actively assisted China Harbour in collecting and distributing passports for the evacuees, guiding them to assemble and board the vessels, and maintaining order on site—efforts that ensured the smooth and orderly implementation of all support operations. Following the completion of the evacuation operation, China Harbour specifically sent a letter of thanks to our company, highly commending Nantong Construction Engineering’s proactive, tireless, and selfless attitude in times of crisis. This exemplifies a broad-minded, responsible, and大局-oriented ethos, as well as a spirit of selfless dedication. The letter expressed our deepest gratitude and highest respect for our company’s unwavering support and diligent efforts. !

Arrived safely at Jeddah Port

4 month 26 Afternoon 18 Around the time, Sudan branch 9 Employees and the first group of Chinese nationals evacuated from China 668 The personnel boarded the Chinese Navy’s comprehensive supply ship Weishanhu, which had rushed to the scene around the clock, and set sail for the second transit port on their return journey—Jeddah Port in Saudi Arabia. 27 Morning 10 At that moment, the evacuees arrived safely at Jeddah Port. On the pier, staff from the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Saudi Arabia, media representatives, and employees of Chinese-funded institutions stood in several lines to welcome their compatriots. Beside the welcoming crowd was a fleet of buses ready to transport the evacuees, while Saudi military and police personnel patrolled and maintained security in the surrounding area. As the warship entered the harbor, its crew and the people on shore engaged in warm interaction, with everyone vigorously waving national flags and exchanging greetings. With the gangway lowered, men, women, and children aboard the ship disembarked one after another, each carrying luggage and waving the national flag; naval soldiers helped carry bags and even cradled young children. Although they had just left a conflict-ridden region, everyone’s faces were relaxed and at ease. During the disembarkation process, songs such as “Ode to the Motherland” and “Me and My Motherland” were played, and their beautiful melodies further enlivened the atmosphere on the pier.

Return to the embrace of the motherland

4 month 28 Afternoon 7 At that time, a chartered civil aviation flight dispatched and coordinated by the Civil Aviation Administration of China arrived in Jeddah, with the Sudan branch. 9 With the exception of one employee who is temporarily stranded in Saudi Arabia due to passport issues, the remaining 8 A number of employees took a China Southern Airlines flight to Beijing, and at Beijing time 29 Early morning of the morning 2 They arrived at Beijing Daxing International Airport, returning to the embrace of their motherland and reuniting with their families. With this, the highly watched operation to safely evacuate employees of the Group’s Sudan branch back home has come to a successful conclusion.

Since the outbreak of the civil war in Sudan and throughout the evacuation phase, Zhang Xiangyang, Chairman of the Group, has consistently kept a close eye on the Sudan branch. 9 To ensure the safety of our Chinese employees, we have closely monitored the situation through our overseas subsidiaries and our Sudan branch, urging the branch to keep a vigilant eye on the latest developments and to take all necessary measures to safeguard the lives and well-being of all our staff stationed in Sudan. Meanwhile, cadres and employees across the Group have been actively gathering information on the latest security situation in Sudan through various channels and avenues. Upon learning that our colleagues had been evacuated from the combat zones, safely transported aboard a Chinese Navy warship and a China National Airlines flight, and subsequently arrived in Beijing, expressions of joy and relief were palpable, and the long-held anxieties of everyone finally gave way to peace of mind.

The employees of the Sudan branch, now back in the embrace of their motherland, are overwhelmed with emotion and deep gratitude. Their countless words boil down to one: “Thank you, great motherland! Thank you to the leaders and all staff at every level of our group company who have always kept us in their hearts!” What, after all, is the most steadfast source of support in times of crisis? In the vivid scenes of the “journey home across thousands of miles,” they have surely found the answer—this is our motherland; you can always count on her!

(Sudan Branch   Pei Yonghong)