By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-06-11 07:40

Vice-President Xi Jinping Tuesday reaffirmed China's commitment to a political resolution to the Darfur issue, and said he hoped the Sudanese government continues to make efforts to end the conflict.

Vice-President Xi Jinping and his Sudanese counterpart Ali Osman Mohammed Taha inspect a guard of hornor in Beijing June 10, 2008. [China Daily]

Xi was speaking at a meeting in Beijing with his Sudanese counterpart Ali Osman Mohammed Taha.

China appreciates the efforts made by the north and south over the past three years to carry out the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and hopes the two sides can solve the dispute through dialogue and negotiation, and push forward the peace process, Xi said.

Reiterating China's position on the issue, Xi said the country is willing to work with the international community to seek an early and proper solution.

China has always supported the resolution of the Darfur issue via the three-party mechanism of the Sudanese government, the African Union and the United Nations, and the double-track strategy of peacekeeping action and the political process moving forward together, he said.

Acknowledging the achievements in the implementation of the peace agreement, Taha thanked the Chinese government for its efforts in Sudan's national reconciliation.

The Sudanese government will insist on negotiation to solve the Darfur issue, he said.

After their talk, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several deals, covering economic and technological cooperation, agriculture, public health and visa simplification.

This is Taha's third visit to China and his weeklong visit will also take him to Shanghai and Shenzhen. He will today meet with President Hu Jintao.

A recent report quoted two US diplomats as praising China for its efforts in trying to resolve the Darfur issue and urging it to do more.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said earlier that China has always sought to solve the Darfur issue through dialogue and consultation on the basis of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan, adding China's efforts were no worse or no less than those of any other country.

The first members of the fourth batch of a 435-strong peacekeeping force flew to Sudan last night and are expected to arrive this afternoon.

The team, comprising 275 engineers, 100 transport specialists and 60 medics, will help build roads and bridges, transfer personnel and supplies, and work to prevent disease outbreaks.

Their aim is to help the north and south to implement the peace agreement and resume social order. The next two groups from the fourth batch will leave next week.