http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/China-Urges-Sudan-South-Sudan-to-Resolve-Oil-Dispute--134672953.html
November 29, 2011
China Urges Sudan, South Sudan to Resolve Oil Dispute
VOA News
China has called on Sudan and South Sudan to resolve a dispute that
has blocked the flow of oil exports from the south.
Beijing purchases nearly five percent of its total oil imports from South Sudan.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Tuesday urged the two
Sudans to exercise "restraint" and use a "flexible and pragmatic
approach" to settle their differences.
Landlocked South Sudan relies on its northern neighbor's pipelines and
port on the Red Sea to export oil.
Sudan said it halted South Sudan's oil exports because the newly
independent south owes $730 million in transit fees.
South Sudan has said Khartoum is charging transit and customs fees so
high they amount to "economic war."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin expressed confidence the
two Sudans would resolve the matter and keep their oil delivery
commitments.
"For many years, China's oil enterprise has been doing businesses in
North and South Sudan, according to relevant contracts, and have
played an important role in its local economy and social development,"
said Liu. "China maintains a good relationship with North and South
Sudan, and we believe both governments will keep their promises,
ensure stability and continuity in the oil industry, protect the legal
rights of the Chinese enterprises, and protect workers' safety.''
Liu said China has a good relationship with both countries.
South Sudan took control of about 75 percent of Sudanese oil when it
became independent July 9.
The two countries still are negotiating terms for sharing oil
revenues. They also have not resolved which side will control the
oil-rich Abyei region on the border.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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Received on Thu Dec 01 2011 - 09:51:16 EST