(Ask the Embassy)
Ambassador Liu Guijin, the special representative of Chinese Government on Darfur, visits South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan recently. This is his second trip to Africa within two months in his capacity as a special representative. He visited Sudan and made an inspection tour to Darfur shortly after assuming his new post last month.
During his stay in South Africa, ambassador Liu briefed journalists on the recent progress of Darfur issue and elaborated China's position on Darfur. He made very positive comments on and spoke highly of his meeting with South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad and other officials.
China welcomes the latest positive development in the Darfur issue after a joint statement was issued on June 12 in Addis Ababa of Ethiopia by the African Union (AU), UN and Sudan concerning a hybrid AU-UN peacekeeping force to Darfur, ambassador Liu says. China calls the international community to work together to push for the comprehensive implementation of the three-phased support plan, pay more attention to the political process of the Darfur issue and provide more assistance to the region.
As ambassador Liu points out, China believes that a political solution was the only effective approach to the Darfur issue. China supports the leading role of the AU under the framework of the effective AU-UN-Sudan consultation mechanism, with the Arab League playing a unique role. During the process, Sudan's Sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected.