China-bulit Jur River Bridge handed over to South Sudan

The recently completed Jur River Bridge, also known as the Clement Mboro Bridge, was handed over to the South Sudanese government by the Chinese embassy on Monday.

The new bridge, located in the country's Western Bahr el-Ghazal state, has a designed length of 240 meters and a width of 14 meters, and spans a total of 1,480 meters.

This is the only bridge that connects the eastern and western parts of South Sudan. The bridge across the Jur river was built by China. The Chinese embassy in South Sudan has promised to do more to help develop South Sudan's infrastructure.

Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan Ma Qiang said at the handover ceremony in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, that the transportation industry, when properly developed, plays a fundamental and strategic role in driving economic and social development.

He said Wau, the capital of Western Bahr El Ghazal where the bridge is constructed, has the advantageous geographical location, abundant resources and unique development conditions, but its economic potential is being restrained due to the limited infrastructure.

"After the completion of the bridge, it will save time for crossing the Jur River, connect people on both sides, increase employment opportunities, and inject new vitality into the local economic and social development," Ma said.

Sarah Cleto Hassan, governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, said constructing roads and bridges will spur sustainable peace and contribute to the economic development of the country.

"We are witnessing a new milestone in South Sudan-China friendship and shows the close and deep relations between us. Today symbolizes development and improves prosperity. I see there will be many more things we can do together," said Hassan.

South Sudan's Minister of Roads and Bridges Simon Mijok Mijak said that the modern bridge built by China's Tianyuan Company Limited will "stand as the symbol of our true, unshakable friendship between China and South Sudan," and appealed for next level of bridges building.

"I am here appealing that we move to the next level of building bridges as you have said rightly that this bridge is part of Silk Road connecting East Africa through South Sudan to West Africa," said Simon.

China-bulit Jur River Bridge handed over to South Sudan

China on Wednesday announced interim measures for the implementation of a flexible retirement system, in a move to enforce the previously adopted policy of incrementally raising the statutory retirement age.

The measures stipulated the procedures for applying for flexible retirement and the requirements for receiving basic pensions, among other details.

Under the new policy, individuals will be allowed to retire up to three years earlier than the new statutory retirement age once they have met the minimum pension contribution requirements. But it is not allowed to retire earlier than the previous statutory age.

Individuals will be able to postpone retirement to an even later date if they reach an agreement with their employers, though this delay must not exceed three years.

Experts say the new retirement system offers flexible options for workers with different situations.

"The flexible retirement policy takes into full consideration the needs of different groups, allowing workers to flexibly choose their own retirement time and to better balance life and work. The lower-aged elderly who have willingness, capabilities, and conditions, could continue to engage in social production and service roles to realize their personal value," said Li Chang'an, researcher with the Academy of China Open Economy Studies under the University of International Business and Economics.

Chinese lawmakers voted in last September to adopt a decision on gradually raising the statutory retirement age in the country, marking the first adjustment in the arrangement since the 1950s.

According to the decision adopted at the 11th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, the statutory retirement age for men will be gradually raised from 60 to 63 in the course of 15 years starting 2025, while that for women cadres and women blue-collar workers will be raised from 55 to 58 and from 50 to 55, respectively.

Starting 2030, the minimum year of basic pension contributions required to receive monthly benefits will be gradually raised from 15 years to 20 years at the pace of an increase of six months annually.

China announces interim measures for introducing flexible retirement system