President Hu Jintao yesterday called on the international community to "seize the favorable opportunity" to solve the Darfur issue.

He made the remarks while meeting Sudanese First Vice-President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Beijing.

Hu urged greater international efforts to help the Sudanese government improve the humanitarian and security situation in the Darfur region.

"China will continue to play a constructive role," he said.

Hu said China appreciated efforts made by the northern and southern regions of Sudan to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which was signed in 2005 between the Sudanese government and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

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China will firmly support Sudan's comprehensive peace process, and contribute to stability and development in Sudan, Hu said.

He welcomed the agreement reached among the Sudanese government, the United Nations and the African Union on sending a hybrid force to the Darfur region.

"Facts show that the trilateral talks are an effective mechanism to solve the Darfur issue," said Hu.

Kiir said the Sudanese government is committed to a political settlement of the Darfur issue.

He expressed gratitude to China for sending peacekeeping troops to South Sudan, appointing a special envoy, and providing humanitarian aid.

Early next month, representatives of Sudanese government and rebel groups will meet in the northern Tanzanian town of Arusha in a bid to hammer out a deal to end four years of conflict in Darfur.

"We hope we will succeed in bringing those on board who did not sign the Abuja Peace Agreement in 2006," Kiir said at a news conference after his meeting with Hu.

He also admitted the difficulty of bringing all rebel groups to the negotiating table.

"We will address the needs of different parties," Kiir said.

(China Daily 07/20/2007 page1)