The international community should promote the political process on the Darfur issue while deploying a joint UN-AU peacekeeping operation in the Sudanese region, Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya said Tuesday.

"Peacekeeping deployment is only one aspect of the settlement of the Darfur issue. The 'two-track strategy' should continue to be implemented by accelerating the political process," Wang said after the 15-member council unanimously adopted Resolution 1769 authorizing deployment of AU-UN hybrid operation in Darfur, explaining China's stance.

"The fundamental prerequisite for achieving lasting peace and stability in Darfur is to encourage all factions in the region to conclude and implement a comprehensive peace agreement," said Wang, who also served as president of the Security Council for July.

He said China welcomes the success of the second Tripoli Conference and appreciates and supports the great efforts made by the two special envoys of the AU and the UN.

"As a next step, the international community should take effective measures to persuade and press the non-signatories to participate in the political process," he said.

Noting the broadly shared view that a root cause for the Darfur crisis is poor development in the region, Wang called for more attention to rehabilitation, reconstruction and development in Darfur.

"The international community should take a long-term perspective, work out at an early date a development strategy for Darfur in consultation with the government of Sudan, and provide more input to economic and social development in Darfur, so as to fundamentally improve the livelihood of the people and uproot the source of conflicts," the ambassador added.

He said China sincerely hopes to see an early settlement of the issue in a fair, equitable and proper manner.

"We hope the Resolution adopted today will serve as a new starting point for enhanced cooperation between the international community and the government of Sudan, and greatly promote the political process of comprehensive settlement of the Darfur issue," Wang said. "The Chinese side will continue to take a constructive and active part in the process."

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2007)