China offers more aid for Darfur

BEIJING, Aug 17, 2004 (Xinhua) — The Chinese government will offer another 5 million yuan (610,000 US dollars) worth of humanitarian aid to the troubled Darfur region of Sudan, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan.

Kong said here Tuesday that China’s Special Envoy and Assistant Foreign Minister Lu Guozeng promised the Sudanese government the aid during his recent two-day visit to Sudan.

During the visit, Lu met with Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmed El-Bashir, delivered a letter from Chinese President Hu Jintao and held talks with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismail.

Lu conveyed the Chinese government’s high attention to the Darfur situation, appreciating the efforts made by the Sudanese government, African Union and League of Arab States in solving the issue.

China hopes the Sudanese government will spare no efforts in continuously implementing relevant UN Security Council resolutions and easing the situation at an early date, Lu said.

The Sudanese side appreciated China’s efforts in settling the Darfur problem and promised to try its best, with the joint efforts from the United Nations and the African Union, to settle the question at an early date.

Located in western Sudan, Darfur is considered the site of the worst humanitarian crisis by the United Nations.

The region has witnessed an 18-month conflict with over 10,000 people killed and 1 million people displaced.

The UN Security Council passed a resolution on July 30, giving the Sudanese government 30 days to disarm the local armed forces or face international sanctions.