China raises initiative to push South Sudan peace process

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposed in KHartoum on Monday China's four-point initiative to promote South Sudan's peace process.

Wang raised the initiative at the "special consultation of Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD)" with the conflicting parties of South Sudan.

In the initiative, Wang urged the conflicting sides to take into account the realistic and long-term interests of South Sudan people and safeguard the peace and stability in the region.

Both sides should abandon the use of force, carry out the signed agreements and reach comprehensive ceasefire without precondition, so as to create favorable conditions for peace talks, he said.

Wang urges establishment of transition government in South Sudan as soon as possible so as to speed up peace process, and he calls for greater international efforts to support peace process, stability and development in the country.

As for the transition government, Wang hopes it can start work in the first quarter of this year, urging the conflicting parties to care about each other's concerns, deepen exchange of views in a rational and pragmatic way, and solve the problem of power sharing and distribution step by step.

Wang stressed in the initiative that China firmly supports Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) to play key roles in mediating the conflicts of South Sudan, adding China adheres to the stance that key African issues should be settled by African countries in their own ways and on their own.

China will continue to provide IGAD and its mechanism with fund and personnel support, he said.

The Chinese minister in the initiative also calls for greater efforts from the international community to offer humanitarian aid and ease sufferings of the South Sudan people.

He added that peace, stability and development in South Sudan need support and help from the international community and all the concerned parties. He urges the conflicting parties to ensure safety of foreign people and organs in the country.