Sudan appreciated China's tireless efforts in pushing for peace and stability in Sudan, said Sudan Ambassador to China Mirghani Mohamed Salih on Tuesday at an event to mark the golden jubilee of Sudan-China diplomatic relations.

"Relations with China have always occupied an important and significant position in Sudan's foreign policy," said Salih. It was a relationship that had never seen times of setbacks, interruption or tension.

Abdul'ahat Abdulrixit (3rd R), vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Mirghani Mohamed Salih (3rd L), Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan to China cut the cake to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sudan during a reception held in Beijing, China, Feb. 24, 2009.[Pang Xinglei/Xinhua]

In his address to the reception, Salih said the celebrations would reaffirm aspirations of the two countries to further develop relations and to renew common commitment to consolidating friendship, achieving sustainable development and coping with all challenges together.

Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said bilateral relations had developed smoothly and the China-Sudan friendship had deepened in the last 50 years.

Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), addresses the reception celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sudan, in Beijing, China, Feb. 24, 2009. [Pang Xinglei/Xinhua]

In recent years, under the guidance of both leaders and efforts by the two governments and peoples, China and Sudan had made continuous progress in political, economic, cultural, health and military exchanges, Chen said.