Chinese government will give the African Union US$400 thousand of aid for its operations in Sudan's troubled Darfur region.

China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing sent a letter to the African Union Commission chairman Alpha Oumar Konare, expressing the Chinese government's appreciation for the African Union's role as a chief mediator in the Darfur crisis.

Li Zhaoxing said China will continue to support the African Union's efforts to resolve the crisis between the Sudanese government and southern rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

(CRI.com January 7, 2005)