China pushing for end to renewed violence in Sudan

[June 23, 2011]  BEIJING (AP) -- China says it is pushing both sides in Sudan to end renewed violence that is threatening a landmark peace agreement.

Special envoy for African affairs Liu Guijin told reporters Thursday that during a recent visit to Sudan he told officials in the north and south that they must peacefully settle disputes that have led to new fighting in the Abyei and South Kordofan regions.

Liu says those issues will be raised again when Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visits Beijing next week.

China has oil investments in Sudan and has long had close ties with the leaders of the north in Khartoum. It has been courting support in the south, which will become an independent country July 9.

[Associated Press]

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