BEIJING, July 10 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese official said here on Thursday that China would promote friendly, cooperative relations with Sudan.

    Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remark at a meeting with a delegation of the National Congress Party (NCP) of Sudan, the country's ruling party, which was led by Mostafa Osman Ismail, the party's foreign affairs secretary and presidential advisor.

    Zhou expressed gratitude for the sympathy and assistance conveyed by Sudan after the May 12 earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan Province and praised Sudan's support for China on issues concerning Taiwan, Tibet and human rights.

    Hailing the development of the China-Sudan relationship, Zhou said the two nations have enjoyed the smooth growth of cooperation in various fields and supported each other in bilateral and multilateral areas since forging diplomatic ties.

    China values the friendship with Sudan and will continue pushing the long-term, stable development of friendly, cooperative relations, Zhou said.

    He said the CPC will work with the NCP to strengthen party-to-party relations to inject vitality into the development of China-Sudan relations.

    Zhou also spoke highly of Sudan's efforts in promoting settlement of the Darfur issue, saying that China would continue working with the international community to promote proper settlement of the issue at an early date.

    Ismail once again expressed sympathy and condolences for the deaths and destruction caused by the quake and said he believed that people in the quake zone could overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes.

    Ismail expressed thanks for China's positive efforts in pushing for settlement of the Darfur issue. He also wished a complete success of the Beijing Olympic Games.

    Ismail said Sudan is willing to expand cooperation with China and hoped that the NCP and CPC would increase friendly exchanges.

    Ismail and his delegation are visiting China from July 7-11 at the invitation of the CPC.