Chinese, Sudanese presidents reach consensus on expanding cooperation

JAKARTA, Apr 23, 2005 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Hu Jintao met with his Sudanese counterpart Omar el-Bashir here on Saturday and reached consensus on further consolidating and expanding their mutually-beneficial cooperation.

Chinese President Hu Jintao arrives for the opening of the Asian-African leaders summit in Jakarta April 22, 2005. (Reuetrs).

The first meeting between the two heads of state took place here on the sidelines of the Asian-African Summit, which is aimed at establishing a new strategic partnership between the Asian and African continents.

The Chinese president told his Sudanese counterpart that China will strengthen its ties with Sudan and is committed to developing bilateral mutually-beneficial cooperation, said sources from the Chinese delegation.

Hu also expounded the Chinese government’s positive attitude toward developing bilateral ties, saying the two countries enjoy profound and traditional friendship. The two countries have maintained good political ties since they established full diplomatic ties 46 years ago.

In recent years, through their joint efforts, the two countries have witnessed rapid development in trade and economic cooperation, particularly in infrastructure construction, which has benefited both peoples, the Chinese president noted.

“The Chinese government attaches importance to the development of relations with Sudan, and is willing to work with Sudan to push forward bilateral friendly and cooperative ties to a new stage,” Hu reiterated.

The Sudanese president expressed his thanks to the Chinese people for their assistance and support, saying the Sudanese people highly value their friendship with China.

The mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two countries has achieved fruitful results in the sectors of economic and trade, infrastructure construction and energy, Bashir noted.

The Sudanese government welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and run businesses in Sudan, and fully participate in Sudan’ s economic construction, Bashir added.

Bashir also briefed the Chinese president on the latest developments of Sudan’s north-south peace process.

The Sudanese government will cooperate with the African Union in properly addressing the Darfur issue, the Sudanese president said.

Achieving peace between the north and south is in the fundamental interest of the Sudanese people, and conducive to Sudan’s stability and development, said the Chinese president.

“The Chinese government supports Sudan’s north-south peace process and has decided to join the UN peace-keeping operation in Sudan to provide necessary guarantees for the process,” Hu said.

He also reiterated the Chinese government’s stance on Darfur issue and urged the international community to help Sudan ease the crisis and seek an early and proper settlement.

The Chinese president arrived here Thursday to attend the Asian- African Summit and the Golden Jubilee Commemoration of 1955 Asian- African Conference, and pay a state visit to Indonesia.