China congratulates Sudan on major progress in peace, development

BEIJING, July 12, 2005 (Xinhua) — China congratulates Sudan on taking a major step into a new period of peace and development, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao said here Tuesday.

Liu made the remark in response to a question about the Chinese government’s comment on the latest development of the situation in Sudan at a routine press conference Tuesday afternoon.

The transit constitution took effect in Sudan on July 9, while the new leaders of Sudan took their positions at a sworn-in ceremony. The new leaders of Sudan include President Omar Hassan Ahmed El-Bashir, First Vice President John Garang and Second Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha.

Liu said the new development was a major step that the North and South of Sudan took to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.It signified that Sudan has entered a new period of peace and development, Liu said.

“China expressed congratulations on this,” Liu said.

“We sincerely wish that the Sudanese people would make continuous achievements in the cause of realizing national reconciliation and construction of their country,” the spokesman said.