Chinese Special Envoy to Darfur, Liu Guijin, on Wednesday reiterated his country's support to the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the Darfur crisis.

Visiting Chinese Special Envoy to Darfur Liu Guijin speaks at a press conference after meeting with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in Khartoum, capital of Sudan, March 3, 2010. Liu Guijin on Wednesday reiterated China's support to the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the Darfur crisis. [Mohammed Babiker/Xinhua]

"China believes in the importance of finding a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement on the Darfur issue, and encouraging the conflicting parties to achieve a comprehensive peace and resolve the root-causes of conflicts in the region," Liu told reporters after his meeting with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

He expressed China's support for the peace process in Darfur, saying "China supports the normalization of Sudan-Chad relations, the framework agreement recently signed between the Sudanese government and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the negotiations between the government and all the Darfur factions."

In the meantime, Liu expressed China's confidence in Sudan's ability to organize free and credible elections, saying "China has provided a financial support for the electoral process in Sudan."

"The Chinese government has decided to send observers to monitor the elections," he added.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (R) meets with Chinese Special Envoy to Darfur Liu Guijin (2nd L) as Chinese Ambassador to Sudan Li Chengwen (1st L) looks on in Khartoum, capital of Sudan, March 3, 2010. Liu Guijin on Wednesday reiterated China's support to the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the Darfur crisis.[Mohammed Babiker/Xinhua]

He further expressed China's appreciation of the success of the signatories to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), in overcoming the issues which hampered implementation of the CPA.

"The two partners have managed to overcome the barriers through dialogue and concessions," he said.

On Sunday, the Chinese envoy started his visit to Sudan during which he held talks with a number of Sudanese officials in Khartoum.

He also visited Juba in south Sudan and held talks with the Sudanese First Vice-President and President of the government of south Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit.