Sudanese First Vice-President starts first China visit
July 17, 2007 (BEIJING) — Sudanese First Vice President Salva Kiir Mayardit arrived in Beijing Tuesday afternoon, kicking off his first China official visit since his nomination.
Mayardit will hold talks with Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong and meet with other Chinese leaders.
“The two sides will exchange views on strengthening bilateral relations and other issues of common concern, including the Darfur issue,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a briefing last week.
Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Lam Akol told reporters on Monday that Sudan is keen on making the visit a success, noting the delegation would brief the Chinese officials on current developments in Sudan, the efforts for peaceful settlement of the Darfur issue and China’s possible contribution in the rehabilitation and reconstruction process.
The six-day visit will also take Mayardit to China’s financial center Shanghai and southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality.
The Chinese President Hu Jintao invited the First-Vice President Salva Kiir to visit China to discuss Southern Sudan development during his visit to Sudan in February 2007.
Salva Kiir had visited Beijing before the signing of the CPA. At that time, Chinese government invited the late John Garang but he charged his deputy to lead the SPLM delegation to China.
(ST/Xinhua)