Chinese special envoy to visit Sudan, South Sudan

Zhong Jianhua, special representative of the Chinese government on African affairs, will soon visit Sudan and South Sudan to promote dialogue and negotiations between the two countries.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin announced the upcoming visit on Wednesday during a routine press briefing.

Liu reiterated China's concerns regarding tension between both countries and called on them to "realize a peaceful coexistence in order to achieve common development."

During a talk held with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit Tuesday, President Hu Jintao urged the two sides to remain calm and restrained, refrain from escalating the current tensions and properly resolve their differences through negotiation.

China has made multiple efforts to promote dialogue, mitigate conflicts and maintain regional stability, Liu said.

Chinese ambassadors to Sudan and South Sudan, as well as China's permanent mission to the United Nations, have been mediating between the two sides through multiple means, he added.

According to Liu, Kiir has cut his China visit short by canceling a scheduled trip to Shanghai.