China on Wednesday called for peace and stability in Sudan in a comment on an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

"We hope relevant sides will listen to the African Union, the League of Arab States and countries concerned, and play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in Sudan and the region," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang.

He added that positive progress had been made in the implementation of a peace agreement, and the overall situation regarding the Darfur issue was improving, which was welcomed by the international community and African countries.

The ICC issued the warrant on Tuesday, and charged the president with genocide. The warrant was the first issued against a sitting head of state by the court.