Chinese president meets Sudan's al-Bashir

Jun 29, 2011, 4:54 GMT

Sudan\'s leader Omar al-Bashir (C) and Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) review the Chinese military honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on 29 June 2011. Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted for alleged war crimes, was given a red-carpet welcome by Chinese President Hu Jintao, in defiance of criticism of the visit by rights groups. The two presidents will sit down for talks in the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing. EPA/LIU JIN

Beijing - Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his Sudanese counterpart Wednesday, one day later than scheduled after Omar al-Bashir reportedly changed his travel plans to avoid flying over Turkmenistan.

State media quoted Hu as saying al-Bashir's visit would 'solidify and develop the traditional China-Sudan friendship and promote the two nations' practical cooperation in many fields.'

Chinese officials said earlier that Hu and al-Bashir would also discuss 'Sudan's ongoing north-south peace process and the Darfur issue' as South Sudan prepares to become an independent country July 9 after decades of civil war.

China has invested billions of dollars in Sudan, especially in its oil industry, but it must now balance its relations with al-Bashir and South Sudan, where about 75 per cent of Sudan's oil resources lie.

Hu hosted a state welcome ceremony at Beijing's Great Hall of the People for al-Bashir before their first talks since Hu visited Sudan in 2007, news reports said.

Officials from China's commerce, agriculture, health and other ministries attended the welcome ceremony for al-Bashir, the official People's Daily newspaper reported on its website.

Addressing the Sudanese community in Beijing on Monday, al-Bashir said Sudan's oil cooperation with China was 'unprecedented, firm and based on partnership.'

Sudan had moved to build 'strong relations with China after it became convinced that there is no feasibility for cooperation with the Western countries,' SUNA, the official Sudan News Agency, quoted him as saying.

Al-Bashir's arrival on Tuesday followed his reported return to Tehran after taking off for Beijing Monday, apparently to avoid flying over Turkmenistan.

The Sudan Tribune quoted unidentified sources in Khartoum as saying that al-Bashir returned to Tehran 'over concerns that the route would make him fly over countries that are members of the International Criminal Court.'

The newspaper later quoted Sudanese diplomatic sources as saying al-Bashir's plane was rerouted via Pakistani airspace after Turkmenistan 'revoked its permission to al-Bashir's plane and instead suggested another route.'

The Netherlands-based court has issued two warrants for al-Bashir in connection with alleged atrocities committed in the Darfur region. Al-Bashir has rejected the charges.

Al-Bashir has had to cancel several foreign trips before because of pressure from the international court.

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