Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Sunday spoke to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon via telephone to discuss the future status of Darfur and Kosovo.

In the telephone conversation, Li stressed that the settlement of the Darfur issue in southern Sudan is at a key stage.

The international community should continue its "double track" strategy, paying the same attention to the political process and the deployment of a peacekeeping mission in Darfur, said the top Chinese diplomat.

The issue should be properly solved through political and diplomatic efforts, he added.

Ban expressed his appreciation to China's constructive role in seeking a solution to the Darfur issue.

He also extended his congratulations on the success of the recent visits by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to South Korea and Japan.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2007)