At least this is an indication:
Jan 11, 2007 (BEIJING) — China and the United States on Thursday said negotiations remained the best solution to resolving the issue of the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan.
And this too:
Jan 12, 2007 (BEIJING) — The US special envoy on Sudan said he had held surprisingly positive talks in Beijing this week and that he expected China to play a greater role in helping to end the conflict in Darfur.
Wrapping up a four-day visit, envoy Andrew Natsios said Chinese engagement was critical in getting Sudan’s government to agree last month to an expanded UN presence in Darfur and he expected China’s role to grow.
“Our policy and the Chinese policy are closer than I realized they were and I think the Chinese are going to play an increasingly important role in helping us to resolve this,” Natsios told a press briefing before departing Beijing.
Natsios, who was appointed by President George W. Bush in September, came to Beijing to seek further cooperation on the issue from China, which has close commercial ties with Sudan’s government.
The fact that there’s a growing general agreement regarding the Darfur situation between China and America is a good thing. Meanwhile the Sudanese Defense Minister is visiting Iran to enhance military cooperation.
SudaneseThinker
SudaneseThinker
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Hmmm. What’s China’s interest in stopping Darfur… problems? Let us presume for a moment that humanitarian interests are not exactly what drives China (given the way they treat their own citizens, it seems more than likely).
So what do they gain by initiating any sort of a peace process there?
The only thing I can see is stopping increased American intervention which would harm Chinese interests. An American or UN intervention would plunge Sudan into a Jihad and make it a living hell, with Al-Qaeda and Iran trying to outdo each other while competing against the local nutcases - very bad for business, this, especially when your business is resources extraction.
What’s your take on it, Drima?
Like Raccoon, I find China’s motives to be rather questionable. It reminds me of the Soviet Union’s interest in Africa back in the day.
Though a good friend of mine, from Congo originally, is very grateful for the chance the USSR gave him to get an academic education. Didn’t make him grateful enough to convert to the Communist way, mind. He immigrated to Frace, married a Jewish girl and converted to Judaism instead.
Racoon, my thoughts are along the same line as yours. I think it’s in China’s interest to stop the fighting because if it continues, things could turn worse elsewhere in the country. China wouldn’t want a bad destability or a war in the country that exports 10% of their oil.
Meanwhile 4get about the ceasefire. It’s not accurate news.
Busy like shyte… will post later tonite…
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