During the meeting held in a cordial atmosphere, Wu told Taha that Sudan is the first stop of his multi-leg African tour, and the visit provides a good opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Expressing China's support for Sudan in the international arena, Wu said "in spite of the fact that China and Sudan are geographically distant from each other, our hearts are close," and the Sudanese people maintain friendly feelings towards the Chinese people.

He pointed out that the mutual friendship between the two peoples traced back to the era of their struggle against colonization and imperialism.

Wu also expressed thanks for the Sudanese government's support for China in the issues of Taiwan and human rights.

The Chinese vice-premier spoke highly of the Sudanese government's efforts to protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity and improve its ties with neighboring countries by means of adopting flexible policies.

On the southern Sudan problem, Wu said "We support the positive efforts for peace and solving the southern Sudan problem," stressing that peace in Sudan serves the national solidarity and promotes stability in Africa.

The North African country has been torn by a 17-year-old civil war between the government and southern rebel groups, mainly the Sudan People's Liberation Army, which has been fighting for greater autonomy for the mostly Christian and animist southern states. About 2 million people have died in the war and war-related disasters.

Reiterated China's consistent policy of non-interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, the vice-premier said "we respect other countries' selections of the road to achieve development, safeguard national sovereignty, promote solidarity and solve disputes through dialogue."

On the Arab-Israeli conflicts, he reaffirmed China's firm stand towards the Middle East peace process that UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, and the land-for-peace principle were the bases for peace negotiations between the two sides.

On the Sino-Sudanese relations, Wu stressed that China is willing to work with Sudan to set an example of South-South cooperation, adding that China has alleviated or written off 1.2 billion US dollars in debts owed by poor African countries, including Sudan.

For his part, the Sudanese vice president said both sides were keen on maintaining the continuity and stability of friendship and cooperation to meet the expectations of the Sudanese and Chinese peoples.

He said there have been exchange of visits between Sudan and China by leaders and delegation at various levels since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1959.

"Security and stability is the top priority for economic and social development in any country, so we are keen on achieving them in Sudan by unremitting efforts to reach national reconciliation and put an end to the conflict in the south peacefully," he added.

"We treasure China's attitude towards the efforts for Sudan's unity and territorial integrity," he said, "We look forward to China's friendly contributions to the reconstruction and rehabilitation process in southern Sudan."

The Sudanese vice president also praised the Sino-Sudanese economic, trade and investment cooperation, which is developing smoothly over the past few years, saying that "China has become a top partner of Sudan following the exploration and production of oil in the country."

"China provided Sudan with expertise, funds, and equipment to help carry out several projects in infrastructure construction, training and rehabilitation," he said.

And "the two countries worked together to push forward and develop bilateral cooperation by endorsing trade agreements, boosting and protecting investment, avoiding double taxation, and encouraging exchanges."

After the meeting, the two sides signed a pact on building an electric power station in Sudan with a loan from China and another document on a Chinese grant to Sudan.

Wu arrived here Tuesday evening on a three-day official visit to Sudan.

(Xinhua 11/16/2000)