China's Special Representative on African Affairs Liu Guijin
said in Beijing on Tuesday that China will send a military liaison
officer to Sudan's Darfur.
Liu, who has just paid a seven-day visit to the US and the UN,
said China has informed the UN of its decision.
China has pledged to send a 315-men multi-functional engineering
unit to Darfur in early October, which would be the first batch of
UN-AU peacekeepers in place, and China will stick to its
commitment, Liu said.
Liu visited Washington and New York from September 4 to 7, and
met with many US and UN officials, including US Deputy Secretary of
State John Negroponte and Special Envoy of US President on Sudan
affairs Andrew Natsios.
Liu reiterated China's constructive and unique role in finding a
solution to the Darfur issue, saying China's role was positively
viewed by the US and the UN.
He said China has persuaded Sudan to accept the Annan plan, also
under efforts of the international community, and China has
provided many aid and help with regard to the reconstruction and
development of Darfur.
He said China has shipped and sent all the batches of
humanitarian aid worth of 80 million yuan (some US$11 million) to
Darfur. A Chinese company has finished a water supply project in
south Darfur, which will greatly relieve water shortage there, and
another Chinese company has accepted the same task in north
Darfur.
In addition, some Chinese companies in Sudan were encouraging
their workers to contribute money for the reconstruction of Darfur,
which could amount to US$2 million as he knew, said Liu, adding
China is also planning to send a medical team to Darfur.
Liu pledged that China will provide more aid and help to Darfur
when it is necessary.
"The US and UN both hold positive views on China's role in
resolving the Darfur issue, and hope China will play a bigger role
in this regard," said Liu.
On the process of the Darfur issue, Liu said the biggest problem
facing the issue at present is money, as the UN-AU peace keeping
mission may need US$2.5 billion, and he hoped this problem would be
resolved as soon as possible through the UN.
He said Darfur issue has made some progress on four important
aspects, namely UN-AU hybrid force, political process, humanitarian
aid and reconstruction, adding the political solution to the Darfur
issue was proved to be effective and the international community
should continue to insist on this road.
Liu called on all parties to the Darfur issue, including the
Sudanese government and Sudan's rebel groups, to show restraint for
the smooth resolving of the issue.
Liu also criticized reports that "politicized" China-Sudan
relationship, saying the relationship between China and Sudan is no
more special than its relations with other African countries and
developing nations.
(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2007)
