China was committed to developing friendly and cooperative ties with Sudan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in New York Monday during talks with Sudanese President Omar Bahir on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

 

China supported Sudan's efforts to maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Li said.

 

Li said that China understood Sudan's concerns with regard to the UN Security Council resolution to deploy peacekeepers in Sudan's Darfur region, and held the position that any deployment of UN peacekeepers in Darfur should first get Sudan's permission.

 

Moreover, China hoped Sudan would display flexibility over the issue in order to maintain peace and stability, Li said.

 

For his part, Sudanese President Omar Bahir said that Sudan favored extending the mandate for African Union (AU) forces in Darfur and opposed the deployment of UN peacekeepers in the region.

 

Last month, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution to give the UN control over the peacekeeping mission in Darfur.

 

The mission in Darfur is currently run by the AU, but its mandate is due to expire on September 30.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2006)