Senior Chinese leader meets Sudanese guests to discuss bilateral ties

15:34, April 30, 2011

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Zhou Yongkang (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's advisor Mustafa Osman Ismail in Beijing, capital of China, April 29, 2011. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

Senior Chinese leader Zhou Yongkang met a delegation from Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) on Friday.

The delegation brought a message from Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who wishes to further promote friendly relations between Sudan and China, as well as ties between their ruling parties.

Bashir's advisor Mustafa Osman Ismail, who is also in charge of external relations of the NCP, asked Zhou to bring Bashir's message of promoting friendly relations between the NCP and the Communist Party of China (CPC) to Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Zhou, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, accepted the request and said he would convey the message to President Hu in an articulate and accurate manner.

Zhou said Ismail's current visit to China, which marks the renewal of cooperation between the CPC and the NCP, will serve to further promote exchanges between the two parties.

Zhou said China is willing to work with Sudan to further enrich ties between the two countries and their parties, broaden cooperation in several fields and find new ways to enhance the growth of China-Sudan relations.

Zhou also briefed Ismail on China's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) for national socioeconomic development.

Zhou said he witnessed the development of friendly ties between the two countries during his three visits to Sudan and his meetings with Sudanese guests in Beijing, adding that he is happy to see the fruitful results of the two countries' cooperation.

Zhou has visited Sudan in several different capacities, with the latest visit occurring in 2009 at the invitation of the NCP. During the visit, Zhou and Bashir held talks and agreed to enhance oil trade cooperation and tap Sudan's agricultural potential.

Ismail said Sudan values its friendship with China and appreciates China's contribution to the improvement of Sudan's economic development and the Sudanese people's livelihood.

He said Sudan hopes to further develop its cooperation with China in several fields including petroleum, mining, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure, as well as strengthen exchanges between the NCP and the CPC.

Source: Xinhua