KHARTOUM, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir on Tuesday expressed his appreciation for China's "honorable" stance in support of Sudan in the international arena.

    Addressing the International Trade Unionist Conference for Solidarity with the Sudanese Workers and People, the Sudanese president expressed his deep gratitude to China and Chinese President Hu Jintao, who visited Sudan last week, for his generous support to the war-affected areas in Darfur.

    Al-Bashir also lauded China's rejection of imposing sanctions and blockade on Sudan, as well as its call for dialogue and peaceful solution for the Darfur crisis and other issues in the biggest African country.

    He appreciated the Chinese encouragement to UN plans to provide logistic, technical and consultative support for the African Union forces monitoring the fragile ceasefire in Darfur.

    The Sudanese president urged the rebel factions which have refused to sign the Darfur Peace Agreement to join the peace process until a permanent and comprehensive peace is realized in the country.