Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao spoke with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the phone Tuesday to discuss bilateral relations, the issue of Sudan's Darfur region and other international issues.

Both leaders hailed the good momentum in the growth of China-Britain relations and pledged to work together for stronger bilateral ties by deepening cooperation in economy, trade, environmental protection, energy conservation, culture and the Olympic Games.

Regarding Darfur, Wen said China hopes for a quick realization of peace, stability and development for the Sudanese region and has worked constructively to this end.

China has put forward and pushed for a tripartite mechanism involving the Sudanese government, the African Union and the United Nations and a dual-track strategy in resolving the issue, Wen said.

China was the first nation outside Africa to send peacekeepers to Darfur and the first and biggest development aid provider to the region, the Chinese premier said.

China would again send its special envoy for Darfur, Liu Guijin, to Sudan soon, he said.

Wen also expressed China's readiness to continue working with Britain for the resolution of the Darfur issue.

Brown, for his part, praised China's efforts in resolving the issue and voiced Britain's opposition to boycotting the Olympic Games in Beijing. He expected the games in Beijing to become the most successful sports meet of the century.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2008)