China was committed to developing friendly and cooperative ties
with Sudan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in New York Monday
during talks with Sudanese President Omar Bahir on the sidelines of
the UN General Assembly.
China supported Sudan's efforts to maintain its sovereignty and
territorial integrity, Li said.
Li said that China understood Sudan's concerns with regard to
the UN Security Council resolution to deploy peacekeepers in
Sudan's Darfur region, and held the position that any deployment of
UN peacekeepers in Darfur should first get Sudan's permission.
Moreover, China hoped Sudan would display flexibility over the
issue in order to maintain peace and stability, Li said.
For his part, Sudanese President Omar Bahir said that Sudan
favored extending the mandate for African Union (AU) forces in
Darfur and opposed the deployment of UN peacekeepers in the
region.
Last month, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution to give
the UN control over the peacekeeping mission in Darfur.
The mission in Darfur is currently run by the AU, but its
mandate is due to expire on September 30.
(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2006)
