China on Tuesday said it opposed more sanctions against Sudan and defended its cooperation in oil exploitation with the Sudanese government, REPORTED DPA. "If you only put pressure on Sudan, it is not helpful to resolving the issue (of Darfur); it can only make the issue more complicated," said Liu Guijin, a special envoy to Sudan for Chinese President Hu Jintao. Liu was reacting to reports that US President George W Bush would announce new sanctions against Sudan later on Tuesday, and that Washington would push for another UN resolution on Sudan's conflict-torn Darfur region. "Now there is some positive momentum in the political process of the Darfur issue," Liu told reporters after touring Darfur during a May 19-23 visit to Sudan. Liu said China's oil cooperation with Sudan was "visible, transparent" and of "mutual benefit." "The oil cooperation between China and Sudan is helpful for the economic development of Sudan," he said. The Chinese government was urging Sudan to be "more flexible" and to "raise their speed" in resolving the Darfur crisis, Liu said.
