Negotiation key between S. Sudan and Sudan: FM

BEIJING - China will continue to work with the international community and make further contributions to the "peaceful coexistence" between Sudan and South Sudan, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Oil is one of the lifelines for both Sudan and South Sudan, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a daily news briefing on Friday in response to the tensions between the two countries.

"Despite the considerable differences between both sides, negotiation is the best solution."

Ali Ahmed Karti, foreign minister of the Republic of the Sudan, is scheduled to visit China from Sunday to Tuesday at the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

During his three-day visit to China, Karti will meet with his Chinese counterpart, and the senior diplomatic officials will exchange views on bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues.

China and Sudan enjoy a lasting friendly relationship and have made fruitful cooperative achievements that have brought "tangible and substantial benefits" to the people of both nations, Hong said.

Beijing has consistently advocated that Sudan and South Sudan show more mutual respect for each other's concerns and coordinated with mediating efforts by the international community, including the African Union, Hong said.

Meanwhile, regional disputes have continued to flare, as the disparity in wealth between the two neighbors has widened due to the reshuffled ownership of oil resources.

Given the increasing oil prices in the global market, the international community, including China, is expected to "do more mediating to boost reasoned dialogues between both nations", said He Wenping, a researcher of African studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"Both countries should try to make necessary concessions and seek common ground. Otherwise, both sides will be harmed," He said.

Beijing approved a five-year delay on Sudan's debts to China, Ali Mahmoud, finance minister of Sudan, said on Feb 18.

China should also be wary of any possible attempt to drag China into the disputes, He added.

China welcomed South Sudan independence, which occurred on July 9, 2011.

China Daily