BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- China said Thursday that to impose new sanctions on Sudan would only complicate the Darfur issue and is not conducive to the settlement of the issue.

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu made the remarks at a regular press conference on Thursday afternoon, saying China hopes all parties concerned would exercise restraint and patience, fully implement the third phase of UN peacekeeping plan known as the Annan plan, continue to improve the humanitarian and security situation in the Darfur region, and push forward the political process of dialogue and consultation for the settlement of the issue.

    Jiang noted positive progress has been made on the Darfur issue recently thanks to the joint efforts from all relevant parties, adding that the Sudanese government is now waiting for UN-AU (African Union) proposals on carrying out the third phase of the Annan plan.

    In order to solve the Darfur issue, the AU, the UN and the Sudanese government agreed last November on a three-phase support plan, also known as the Annan plan as it was put forward by then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.