China hails Sudan's Darfur efforts

China has praised Sudan's efforts in trying to end the Darfur crisis saying Beijing will do what it can to help stop the violence.


Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping told visiting Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Taha on Tuesday that China appreciated "the unremitting efforts" Sudan has made in Darfur.

"China will join hands with the international community to promote the early resolution of the issue," Xi said.

Xi also hailed the recent agreement reached between Sudan and southern former rebels to end a dispute over the flashpoint oil-rich region of Abyei, expressing hope that the two sides could resolve all disputes through dialogue and consultation and continue to push forward the peace process.

China, a big investor in Sudan's oil industry and its largest weapons supplier, has faced widespread Western criticism that it has not used its influence in Sudan to press for an end to the violence.

More than five years of conflict in Darfur have killed 200,000 people and driven 2.5 million from their homes, international experts say. Khartoum puts the death toll at 10,000.