China admits effect of pressure over Darfur
BEIJING (AFP) — Global pressure on China over its ties to Sudan has spurred the Chinese government to take a more proactive stance on ending violence in Darfur, the nation's special envoy on the issue said Friday.
"Darfur is the focus of international attention and many Western nations want China to play a bigger role," Chinese diplomat Liu Guijin told journalists.
"This is why I have been appointed as the special envoy of the Chinese government on the Darfur issue."
Liu, fresh from a visit to the troubled region, was appointed China's envoy on Darfur in May last year, when an international campaign to pressure Beijing on Sudan ahead of the Beijing Olympics began to take on steam.
Although China has long opposed linking the Olympics to Darfur and other human rights issues, growing international scrutiny of Beijing's ties with Sudan has coincided with greater diplomatic activity by the Asian giant.
"Since last May, I have visited Sudan four times. In the future, if it is necessary, I will pay more visits," Liu said, who also travelled to Chad, Britain and France to discuss the conflict on his most recent trip.
"We have a good relationship with Sudan, we have some advantages in talking to Sudan, so we should use this as leverage... we will persuade them in a direct way to work with the international community and be more cooperative."
Aside from Sudan, campaigners have used this August's Olympics to pressure China over its controversial rule of Tibet and its domestic human rights record.
"As for the Olympic Games, any advice or comments, even if it contains misunderstandings or criticism, we are open to and welcome this advice," Liu said.
"We are willing to listen to any comments that contain reasonable elements, but for those few who attempt to tarnish the Olympic Games on the pretext of issues totally unrelated to the Olympics, like the Darfur issue, we are firmly opposed to such attempts."
