BEIJING, Jan 10 (Xinhuanet) -- China on Monday expressed its warm congratulation to the Sudanese government for its signing a final comprehensive peace accord with southern Sudan People's LiberationMovement.

    The Sudanese government and the southern Sudan People's Liberation Movement signed a final comprehensive peace accord in Nairobi on Sunday, ending the 21-year-old civil war in southern Sudan, the longest-running in Africa.

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan described the signing of the peace deal "a historical event", saying it meets with Sudanese people's desire for peace and development and helps Sudan achieve long-term stability and maintain regional peace.

    Kong said Chinese President Hu Jintao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing have sent congratulation letters to Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmed El-Bashir and Minister of External Relations Mustafa Othman Ismail respectively.

    China's Assistant Foreign Minister Lu Guozeng attended the signing ceremony as special envoy of the Chinese government, he said.

    "We sincerely hope the comprehensive peace deal will be implemented smoothly and Sudan will make greater achievement in seeking peace and development," he said. Enditem