China considers South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit's visit to be an opportunity, and China will continue making efforts to ease tensions between Sudan and South Sudan, said a Foreign Ministry spokesman on Friday.

"The current situation is that President Kiir will come to China for the visit as scheduled," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin at a regular news briefing.

Earlier this week, Liu announced that the South Sudan leader will pay a state visit to China from April 23 to 28 at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

"China will continue to play its constructive role on the issues between Sudan and South Sudan during the (Kiir's) visit," Liu said at Friday's briefing.

"The Chinese side is concerned with the escalation of tensions between the South and the North," Liu said, adding that China hopes that the two sides will resolve their disputes through negotiation and consultation. China urges both sides to keep their common interests and the overall situation of regional stability in mind, and make measures to ease tensions as soon as possible.

The spokesman said that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the safety of the citizens and organizations of both nations and demands the two sides take protective measures.

During the briefing, Liu also reminded Chinese nationals and organizations in the two countries to keep alert and ensure their own safety.

"As far as I know, those Chinese people in the tension-afflicted areas have been accounted for," said the spokesman, "They are safe."

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