China hails Sudan-South Sudan deals

BEIJING - A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Friday hailed a series of deals inked by Sudan and South Sudan earlier this week.

"The Chinese side welcomes the agreements reached between Sudan and South Sudan on bilateral cooperation and some pending issues," Hong Lei said at a regular news briefing in response to a related question.

Hong said China appreciates the flexibility, pragmatism and responsible attitude of Sudan and South Sudan during their negotiations as well as the great efforts made by the international community.

Sudan and South Sudan on Thursday signed three agreements on various issues at the conclusion of a presidential summit between Omar Hassan Al Bashir of Sudan, and Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The deals covered the resumption of oil exports by the South through Sudan and the establishment of a demilitarized border buffer zone.

"We hope that the two sides will sincerely fulfill the agreements reached and maintain the good momentum of negotiations to appropriately resolve other outstanding issues at an early date," said the Chinese spokesman.

Reports say Sudan and South Sudan have not worked out issues surrounding the contested oil-rich Abyei region or the demarcation of their shared border.