China is willing to help seek an early and proper resolution of the four-year conflict in western Sudan's Darfur region.

 

"China would like to work with the international community and push for the early and proper settlement of the Darfur issue," Vice President Zeng Qinghong said in a meeting with Sudanese First Vice President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Beijing Wednesday.

 

Zeng reaffirmed China's stance on the Darfur issue and reviewed China's role in pushing for the early settlement of the issue.

 

China appreciated that the Sudanese government has reached consensus with the United Nations and African Union (AU) on the deployment of a hybrid force of troops in Darfur, Zeng said.

 

Zeng also hailed the efforts by various parties to promote the political process of the Darfur region.

 

Mayardit, who is also president of the southern Sudan region, said the north and south of Sudan were both committed to maintaining national unity and reconstruction.

 

He invited China to participate in the reconstruction of southern Sudan and promote Sudan-China friendly cooperation.

 

Mayardit appreciated China's positive role in helping resolve the Darfur issue.

 

Mayardit arrived in Beijing Tuesday afternoon. The six-day visit will also take him to China's financial center Shanghai and southwest Chongqing Municipality.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2007)