Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — China and Sudan have agreed to expand crude oil exploration.

The two allies signed several agreements to explore for oil in the Arab state.

Under the accords, signed last month, China would fund the exploration projects, expected to be conducted by the state-owned China National Petroleum Corp.

Officials said China, with a significant presence in Sudan, has sought to increase Khartoum’s oil production, most of which was taken by the establishment of South Sudan in 2011.

The officials said China, the largest foreign investor, would also construct major infrastructure to help Sudan’s energy sector.

The latest exploration agreements could revive trade between Bejing and
Khartoum. Over the last two years, bilateral trade dropped from $11.5
billion to less than $3 billion in 2013.

  China invests heavily in Sudanese energy sector, China National Petroleum Corp., infrastructure, Khartou