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China denies providing arms to Sudan in return for oil

KHARTOUM, April 6 (KUNA) -- China anew Sunday denied providing arms for Sudan in return for oil, and asserted that it was complying with international agreements banning this method.
Chinese ambassador in Khartoum Li Chengwen called at a news conference the armed rebel movements in Darfur to sit at the negotiations' table with the Sudanese government to end the conflict in the troubled province.
He said China was ready to increase the development projects in Darfur for the sake of supporting peace and stability in the province.
Li said the fact big countries were linking the peace in Darfur with the Olympic Games in Beijing was "illogical." He said there were some parties, which he did not name, who attempted to undermine the olympic games, due in Beijing next August, by linking Darfur and Tibet to them. "China has the enough confidence to guarantee security in the olympics," he added.
Li said the Chinese special envoy to peace in Sudan was continuing meditation between the Sudanese government and armed opposition in yet another attempt to reach peace in Darfur.
Li, however, said the Chinese investments in Sudan amounted to around USD five billion, with 7,000 Chinese workers in Sudan.
China is the largest foreign investor in Sudan. Khartoum is the second African trade partner to Beijing. (end) hhi.bs KUNA 062301 Apr 08NNNN