China

Sudanese minister is welcomed in Beijing

By Zhang Chunyan (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-15 07:56

BEIJING - China hopes the upcoming referendum next year in southern Sudan is transparent and fair and reflects the aspirations and choices of the Sudanese people, Vice-President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

China supports efforts by the north and south sides of Sudan to promote a north-south peace process steadily through dialogue and friendly consultations, Xi said during a meeting here with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Karti.

No matter what results the referendum are, China believes the top priority lies in maintaining peace and stability in Sudan and the wider region, Xi noted.

Xi added that China hopes the Darfur issue would be resolved properly as soon as possible.

Karti said that the Sudan was at a critical stage in its history. The Khartoum government, he noted, is willing to meet its obligations, push forward the peace process in Sudan and resolve the Darfur issue properly.

And he assured that the upcoming referendum will not affect Chinese investment in Sudan.

Karti said that China was an intimate friend of Sudan. He also emphasized Sudan's firm adherence to the one-China policy, saying Sudan was ready to further strengthen ties with China.

China and the Sudan have enjoyed formal relations for more than 50 years, and cooperated in many areas.

"China-Sudan relations have become an example of South-South cooperation," Xi said.

"Sudan was once considered as one of the 43 least-developed countries by the UN," said Liu Naiya, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, adding that the "cooperative development" between Beijing and Sudan helped to change the situation.

The Sino-Sudanese relationship is indeed a successful model for South-South cooperation, Liu said.

"No matter what the Sudanese choose for their future, China insists on the peace, stability and national reconciliation of Sudan," Liu added.

Karti arrived in Beijing on Monday for his official state visit.

China Daily