China plays active role on Darfur issue

As a permanent member of United Nations Security Council, and a long-term friend to Sudan and many other African countries, China has unique leverage on resolving the Darfur issue.

As a permanent member of United Nations Security Council, and a long-term friend to Sudan and many other African countries, China has unique leverage on resolving the Darfur issue.

Efforts to bring peace, stability and development to the region have been stepped up and steady progress can be seen, particularly in the past year. China has vowed to continue its active role in ensuring a final peace in Darfur.

At the end of 2007, joint United Nations and African Union forces took over peace-keeping in Darfur. This is a landmark en route to peace in this western Sudanese region... after decades of racial clashes which have cost thousands of lives and left over a million homeless.

A team of 140 Chinese soldiers is now in Darfur. They are the first force to arrive from the UN-led peace-keeping operation.

The peacekeepers are part of China's efforts to push for peace and stability in Darfur. Over the past two years, China has consistently encouraged Khartoum to achieve a cease-fire, and bring all the factions to the negotiating table.

Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Sudan last year. He urged the government to be more flexible in accepting a three-phase solution proposed by former UN General Secretary Kofi Annan.

China also appointed its first special envoy to Darfur last year, to mediate in the peace process.

Despite these efforts, many western countries have pressed for more effective measures to speed up the peace process. Some countries are trying to increase pressure on Khartoum by imposing sanctions.

But China says this will not help resolve the problems. With many refugees living in poverty, the basics for life and development are urgently needed. China has donated aid relief worth 10 million US dollars to Darfur, and sent experts to help increase food and water supply by developing local agriculture and water projects.

China's stance and action have had good results. The Sudanese government has reached a peaceful deal with some factions in Darfur, and has agreed to deploy AU-UN joint forces in the region.

China has promised to make further efforts to push for a complete peace agreement, and will provide more aid and help reconstruct the war-torn region.