The two sides had maintained cooperation and coordination in international and regional issues, which served not only the common interests of both countries, but also unity and progress among all developing countries.

Salih said China and Sudan had conducted fruitful economic cooperation, with bilateral trade standing at 8.2 billion USdollars in 2008.

Mirghani Mohamed Salih, Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan to China, addresses the reception celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sudan, in Beijing, China, Feb. 24, 2009. [Pang Xinglei/Xinhua]

The reception was jointly hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the embassy of the Republic of the Sudan in China.

Sudan and China established diplomatic ties on Feb. 4, 1959.

Tomur Dawamat (L), head of China-Arab Friendship Association, and Mirghani Mohamed Salih, Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan to China release the first-day cover to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sudan during a reception held in Beijing, China, Feb. 24, 2009.[Pang Xinglei/Xinhua]

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2009)