Chinese Government's Special Representative for African Affairs Liu Guijin Visits Sudan

BEIJING, China, December 12, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On December 8, 2011, Chinese Government's Special Representative for African Affairs Liu Guijin visited Sudan and met respectively with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti, Minister of State at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Mutrif Sedig Ali and Sudan's Secretary General of the Ministry of Petroleum.

Liu said that the situation between Sudan and South Sudan turned tense lately and negotiations on petroleum and other relevant issues came to a standstill. China is concerned about such a situation. Petroleum is critical to the economy of both Sudan and South Sudan and a major stabilizing factor for their economic and social development. Normal production and sale of petroleum serve the interest of both sides. China is a sincere friend and an important partner of Sudan and South Sudan. It hopes the two sides keep restraint and calm, carry forward the spirit of mutual understanding and accommodation, solve differences through negotiations and consultations and maintain peace and stability between the two sides.

The Sudanese side noted that it hopes to develop the good-neighborly friendship with South Sudan and will continue to work to solve the legacy issues between the two sides through negotiations. It expects China which is the friend of both Sudan and South Sudan to play a constructive role of maintaining peace and stability between Sudan and South Sudan.