(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-14 23:39

BEIJING - China said Thursday it exerts positive efforts to resolve Darfur issue, and that linking the issue to the Olympic Games will not help and is against the Olympic Spirit that separates sports from politics.

"We noticed recent discussions and acts on China's stance on Darfur issue. According to my knowledge, some are out of the concerns over the situation there, but others tried to link the issue with China's policy on Sudan and Beijing Olympic Games, "Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a regular press conference.

"It is understandable if they do not understand the Chinese government policy on Darfur," said Liu. "But if they are politically motivated, we will not accept."

Liu said China has made unremitting efforts to resolve the Darfur issue, a fact that is obvious to anyone in the international community that is not biased against China.

China helped push forward Sudanese government, African Union and United Nations reaching consensus on sending hybrid force to Darfur.

"This did not come easily and our efforts have been recognized by the international community," Liu said.

In order to improve the humanitarian situation in Darfur, China have provided material assistance worth 80 million RMB (US$ 11 million) to Darfur, 1.8 million U.S. dollars aid to African Union, and US$ 500,000 donation to the UN fund for solving Darfur issue.

China has promised to send a 315-strong engineering unit to Darfur. A 140-member advance troop is already in Darfur, and more will be gradually deployed.

Besides, China's special representative on African issue has visited Sudan three times since taking office last May.

Chinese enterprises in Sudan also provided many assistance and constructed many projects there. According to Liu, in recent years, Chinese companies had helped dig 46 wells, build 20 small-scale power plants in Darfur and water supply projects in southern and northern Darfur states, as well as provide teaching equipments.

"On the issue of Darfur, empty rhetoric will not help," Liu said. "What is most important is to do substantial things to promote peace process there and alleviate the humanitarian crisis," he said, calling for objective and just treatment on China's stance.