Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu on Tuesday underscored China's "great active role" in promoting the proper resolution of Sudan's Darfur issue, and she asked American actress Mia Farrow to develop a better understanding of that role.

She also called on Farrow to do "something real" for the people of Darfur instead of criticizing others.

Jiang made the remarks at a regular press conference after being asked to comment on Farrow, an activist on the Darfur issue, who has linked the situation in Darfur with the Beijing Olympics.

Jiang said: "I think Mia Farrow should deepen her knowledge and understanding of China's active and constructive role in handling the Darfur issue."

She said China had been the first country to propose and promote the trilateral talks among Sudan, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations, the country that actively supported the dual strategy of peace-keeping operations and a political solution of the issue, and the first country outside of Africa to send peace-keeping troops to Darfur.

She said China has provided aid and donations to the Darfur region and the AU mission there and appointed a special representative for the Darfur issue who has maintained close contact with all parties concerned.

"Actually, many heads of the groups in Darfur are in Europe. We hope those countries that are influential among these groups can also play a certain active role to persuade the opposition groups to join in Darfur's peace process," said Jiang.

She said that if Farrow could appeal to those countries to play such a role, she would be doing something real for the people of Darfur.

Jiang also added that China has given much concrete help to Darfur: food, road-building, digging wells and putting up schools and houses. She said that these things were what the Darfur people really needed, and if anyone really wanted to help, they should take similar concrete steps instead of criticizing others.

"The Darfur issue was not brought about by China, but China has played a great active role in promoting the proper resolution of the issue," she added.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2008)