China says no special relations with Sudan to criticise
September 18, 2007 (BEIJING) — China’s envoy on Darfur said on Tuesday that criticism of the country’s relations with Sudan by international media and non-governmental organisations was “incorrect.”
“But the media and some non-government organisations criticise Sino-Sudanese relations and politicise the issue — this is incorrect,” China’s representative on the Darfur issue said.
“We just have more economic cooperation,” he added.
While in Washington earlier this month, Liu lashed out at critics who accuse the fast-rising Asian power of turning a blind eye to bloodshed in the Sudanese region out of economic self-interest.
Liu on Tuesday insisted that Beijing was playing a constructive role at the United Nations to bring about a peacekeeping force in Darfur but said critics sometimes overestimate China’s influence on Sudan.
He reiterated China’s policy of non-interference in foreign affairs and said applying political pressure is not conducive towards resolving conflicts.
Liu said China had been instrumental in pushing through a UN Security Council resolution in July that finally authorised a peacekeeping force for Darfur.
“We are glad we have played a positive role,” he said.
China had previously blocked the resolution in the absence of an agreement with the Sudanese government, which is accused by Washington of waging “genocide” against thousands in Darfur suspected of supporting rebels.
China will send out a 315-member engineering unit next month to build bridges, roads and water wells in Darfur.
China, which is the biggest buyer of Sudan’s oil, has been attempting to play down accusations it is worsening Darfur’s agony by supporting the Khartoum regime.
The Khartoum regime is blamed for backing militias that have waged a brutal campaign in rebel areas of Darfur which the UN says has led to more than 200,000 deaths in the past four years. The US has termed it genocide.
(AFP)