China and South Sudan have agreed to partner on smart city development to improve urban management, public services, and security infrastructure.

The bilateral cooperation, agreed on Tuesday during discussions between South Sudanese Interior Minister Aleu Ayieny Aleu and a Chinese delegation led by Li Wancheng, counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan, aims to transform South Sudan's capital, Juba, into a smart city and strengthen its resilience to rapid population growth. 

Aleu said the collaborative initiative focuses on embedding modern tech, urban management data, and advanced surveillance frameworks ahead of the upcoming general elections. "The partnership with China demonstrates our shared vision for development and modernization. We believe this initiative will contribute significantly to strengthening security and improving urban management in Juba," Aleu said. 

According to Aleu, a team of Chinese experts will spend about 20 days conducting assessments at around 50 locations across Juba, including major roads, government institutions, and other strategic sites.

Xinhua