29 Chinese Workers Captured By South Sudan Militants

29 Chinese workers have been attacked and taken hostage by Sudanese militants at a remote work site in the volatile Sudan region.

Following the attack Sudanese forces immediately mounted a rescue mission in coordination with the Chinese embassy in Khartoum. China and Sudan share close economic and political relations, especially in the energy sector.

At this time it’s still not clear if the militants have released a list of demands while the state governor according to the official Xinhua News Agency said the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement attacked a road-building site in South Kordofan and seized the workers.

The SPLM is a guerrila force that has been fighting against the Sudanese government for control of the area, it’s members are made up of a minority ethnic group that controls much of South Sudan which became the world’s newest country six months ago after breaking away from Sudan.

The hostage taking situation adds already mounting tensions to the area where Sudan has accused South Sudan of arming pro-South Sudan militants in South Kordofan. The South Sudan government has called those accusations a “smokescreen” intended to justify the potential invasion of South Sudan in the future.

In the meantime the Chinese government has sent a large number of works to the volatile region over the last year to help with the emergency evacuation of at least 30,000 citizens from fighting in Libya.

Adding to China’s headache, the country has attempted to build a relationship with South Sudan over the last several years. South Sudan houses most of the countries oil fields and reserves.