(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-02-18 11:03

Former British deputy prime minister John Prescott has rounded on China's critics, saying relations cannot be allowed to sour over the Darfur issue.

Prescott told the BBC he was worried about a return to Cold War rhetoric in the West's dealings with Beijing.

On Wednesday, film director Steven Spielberg quit as adviser to the Beijing Olympics over Darfur.

"China on its own cannot solve Sudan," Mr Prescott said, "but she is playing a part in the UN."

He said that engagement with China was crucial in finding a solution to thorny issues such as Darfur.

Until he retired as Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott led Britain's China Taskforce, promoting links between the two countries.

As evidence, he pointed to China's record in engaging with North Korea over its nuclear programme.

"It was the international community that said to China 'can you talk to North Korea because we can't and they won't listen to us.'"

That was when we were concerned about the nuclear weapons of North Korea. China's played her part in that and hopefully will bring to peace to that."

Spielberg withdrew as the Beijing Olympic Games' artistic advisor on Wednesday, citing concerns over the violence in Darfur and linking it to China's ties with Sudan.

China has responded by saying it regretted Mr Spielberg's decision.

But it defended its actions in Sudan.

Foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said: "China is also concerned about the humanitarian situation in Darfur, but we have been playing a positive and constructive role in promoting peace in Darfur."   He added that empty rhetoric will not help.

For his part, Prescott said: "I do worry that the language [towards China] seems to be wrapped more and more in the Cold War.

"I think that would be very unfortunate because China is coming out more and more into the world and I think we should encourage that."

Britain's relations with China were critical, Prescott said.

"Gordon Brown started off with a flying start in terms of maintaining good relations with China as a friend, being critical - making the points, but showing working together is what we need to do in the world economy."

"As for selling arms and doing trade", Prescott said, "I think we should look around among ourselves, and see there's quite a bit of criticism about trafficking that goes on with Western countries."