Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Ahmed Karti said on Friday his visit to China carried reassurances and confirmations to the Chinese side his government keenness to enhance cooperation with China even after a referendum to be held in southern Sudan.

"We have delivered a message on our keenness on continuation in enhancing the cooperation with China and expanding its investments in the country, particularly in north Sudan," Karti told reporters at Khartoum airport today upon return from a tour that included China and Egypt.

"China is an important country for Sudan and we are keen to fully coordinate with it, particularly with regard to current international issues. We are expecting China to play an important role in the international meeting on Sudan, scheduled for September 24, 2010," he added.

He further stressed that Sudan was looking forward to enhancing ties with China, saying that "I have held consultations with the Chinese leadership on many issues and we have agreed on coordination during the forthcoming meetings of the United Nations General Assembly."

The Sudanese minister described his visit to China as "one of the best official visits," adding that "we have managed to convey our viewpoint on many issues that has received complete response on the part of the Chinese leadership."

On January 9, 2011, the southern Sudanese are expected to vote in a referendum on self-determination for southern Sudan to opt between unity or separation according to the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), inked between north and south Sudan in 2005, and the Sudanese Constitution.

The referendum would be considered legal if fifty eight percent of the registered voters participated in the referendum, and if the quorum was incomplete, there would be re-voting with the same terms in 60 days of the announcement of the referendum result.

The result of the referendum would be decided by a simple majority of fifty percent plus one of the votes.