Hu Jintao
The President of China

China calls on world to normalise of ties with Sudan 

A Chinese diplomat has called on the world to normalise relations with Sudan in recognition of its efforts to bring peace to its southern region, now an independent state.

"The Sudanese government has shown the political will to push the north-south peace process, and has made great efforts in this regard," the diplomat, Wang Min said.

Wang thereby called on the international community to fully normalise relations with Sudan as soon as possible, so that the Sudanese people can enjoy peace, dignity and development at the earliest opportunity.

Peaceful dialogue

Wang urged the Sudan and South Sudan to resolve remaining issues between them through "peaceful dialogue", and also called on other countries to help South Sudan.

"We call on the international community to continue providing support for South Sudan's political stability and practical help for South Sudan's economic recovery and development," Wang added.

Lifting trade embargo

Report says Sudan has, for a long time, been under trade embargo imposed by the US.

Also, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan has been facing indictment from the International Criminal Court over war crimes charges stemming from long-running fighting in the Darfur region.

Economic ties

In spite of this, Beijing has maintained close trade, energy and military ties with Khartoum, and it played host to Bashir last month.

While China relied on Sudan as its sixth largest source of oil imports in 2010, it has been keen on building a relationship with leaders in the south, which became the world's newest country over the weekend.

Showing commitment to establishing relations with South Sudan, President, Hu Jintao of China promised strong ties with the newest nation.

Meanwhile, at a United Nations debate, which was held on Wednesday, the Security Council formally recommended that South Sudan be admitted as a UN member.

Canceling South Sudanese citizenship 

Meanwhile, state news agency SUNA, says Sudan's parliament on Wednesday gave initial approval to cancel the citizenship of South Sudanese.

Under the bill requiring final reading by the government-controlled assembly, anyone taking up citizenship of the new Republic of South Sudan will lose Sudanese nationality, SUNA said.

The move, which comes less than a week after South Sudan became independent, will add to the legal uncertainty of southerners in the north.

Around 300,000 have left to return home but more than one million are still in the north where they have been living for decades after escaping the war that killed two million people.

Tens of thousands have been stranded on the way home waiting for transport or financial assistance, the United Nations' refugee agency, UNHCR says.

Economists say many southerners will stay in the north to find work as the underdeveloped and war-ravaged south offers few opportunities.

Economic issues unresolved

Sudan and South Sudan have yet to agree on a range of issues such as sharing oil revenues, assets or ending border violence.

The northern central bank said earlier this week it would end the joint banking system with the southern central bank and treat banks from South Sudan like any other foreign institute.

Both countries also plan to launch their own currencies.

South Sudan became Africa's newest nation on Saturday after voting in January for independence in a referendum agreed under a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of civil war with the north.

RREUTERS/Shakira/Williams