Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir met in Khartoum on Sunday with Chinese special envoy Zhai Jun over bilateral ties and the situation in Darfur.

Zhai, China's assistant foreign minister, said China hoped that Sudan would show some flexibility over then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's proposal on Darfur in a bid to improve the humanitarian and security situation and speed up the political process in the region.

China would continue to play a constructive role in helping Darfur realize peace, stability and development soon, he added.

Al-Bashir spoke highly of the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries.

He said Sudan accepted Annan's proposal in principle. He would like to consolidate communications with the concerned parties and consult with the United Nations and the African Union on implementing the proposal.

Sudan hoped that Darfur would realize peace and stability soon, the president said.

Zhai arrived in Khartoum on Friday on a four-day visit to Sudan.

(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2007)