China supports the African Union in its efforts to push for a political solution to the conflict in Darfur of western Sudan, Chinese Permanent Representative to the United Nations Wang Guangya told a UN Security Council meeting on Friday.

In a speech at the Security Council meeting on Darfur, Wang said the Chinese government pays great attention to the situation in Darfur, hoping that the humanitarian situation there will soon improve.

He said China supports the leading role being played by the African Union and the priority is to achieve an expanded deployment of the Union on the ground.

Wang said the causes of the Darfur crisis were complicated and the prior task was to stop the fighting and provide humanitarian assistance. Sustained peace and stability in Darfur could only be attained by a political settlement of the problem through peace talks, he said.

He called on the parties concerned, especially the rebels, to show greater flexibility and strive to reach a comprehensive agreement at an early date.

A Security Council resolution adopted on Saturday called for the deployment of a large African Union force to Darfur to help stop further violence in the region.