China says it wants to play peace role between Sudan, S. Sudan
September 10, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – China says it wants to continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in both Sudan and South Sudan, according to its position paper due to be presented at a UN General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York.
It said while relations between Sudan and South Sudan have on a whole improved, outstanding issues continue to impede a peaceful co-existence.
“We sincerely hope that the two sides will act in the fundamental interests of their peoples and the larger interest of regional peace and stability, respect each other’s core concerns, honour in good faith the agreements signed, and properly resolve differences through negotiation based on mutual understanding and mutual accommodation”, China said in the paper.
It has also called on the international community to continue to support dialogue between the two sides and work together to maintain peace and stability in the two Sudans, as well as throughout the region.
.
SUPPORT FOR DARFUR SOLUTION
China has also backed a political settlement on Darfur involving the UN, African Union (AU) and the Sudanese government as the main channel.
It called for a “dual-track” strategy of peacekeeping deployment and political negotiation to be implemented in a balanced way.
China said in its position paper that it welcomed the signing of a peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the Justice and Equality Movement-Bashar (JEM-Bashar), adding that it hopes other factions in Darfur will join political negotiations as quickly as possible.
“The international community should help Sudan improve the humanitarian and security situation in Darfur and realise peace, stability and development in the region at an early date”, China said in its paper.
China has vested interests in both Sudan and South Sudan, particularly the oil industry.
While Western countries shunned the region amid civil war, human rights abuses and economic sanctions, China went on to become Sudan’s biggest investor, importing some 70 percent of the country’s total oil exports in 2010, according to Chinese customs figures cited by Al-Jazeera.
China has also stepped up its presence in the South, which gained independence in July 2011, courting the new nation with offers of development aid and low-interest credit .
The young nation took with it the majority of the once united country’s oil wealth, but depends on Chinese-built pipelines running through Sudanese territory to pump its oil to export markets.
China is among 193-member countries of the UN expected to attend the 68th session of the UNGA on 17 September.
(ST)