Special Report: Sudan National Reconcilation

    BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China is regretful and worried about the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on war crimes charges, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Thursday.

    Responding to a question, Qin said the primary task for the international community was to maintain stability in Darfur and to continue to push forward the political process and the joint United Nations-African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission.

    "China opposes any acts that might interfere with the peaceful overall situation of Darfur and Sudan," he said.

    At a regular press conference on Thursday afternoon, Qin reiterated the reasons why the Chinese government was regretful and worried about the ICC's decision.

    "It is the will of the Sudanese people and the international community to realize peace and development in Darfur as soon as possible. China is a country that loves peace and upholds justice. As a responsible country and permanent member of the Security Council, China has made great efforts for the peace and stability in Darfur as well as a proper solution of the issue," Qin said.

    "Thus, based on the above-mentioned points, the Chinese government expresses regret and worry. China eyes on the region's peace and stability while considering this issue, and we don't want to see the efforts we have made and positive progress we have achieved in Darfur come to naught," he added.

    He urged relevant sides to take into consideration that the ICC's decision might interfere in, and negatively affects, the Darfur's peace process, a proper solution to the Darfur issue as well as the region's peace and stability.

    "All parties should think carefully before taking actions," he said.

    The ICC, set up in 2002 as the world's first permanent war crimes tribunal, issued the warrant on Wednesday, accusing Bashir of orchestrating a campaign of genocide in Darfur, starting in 2003.

    Sudan's envoy to the UN said the warrant was neither surprising nor justified, and the country would not cooperate with the tribunal.

    The European Union urged the Sudanese government to cooperate with the court while the United States called on all sides to exercise restraint.

    The League of Arab States said it was "deeply concerned" about and "greatly disturbed" by the ICC decision, and voiced its support for the sovereignty of Sudan. The AU said the decision would impede Sudan's peace process.

    "China hoped the UN Security Council would respect and listen to the appeal of the AU, the League of Arab States and members of the Non-Aligned Movement, take necessary actions according to the Article 16 of the Rome Statute, and demand the ICC suspend the investigation or prosecution of the case," Qin said.

    He told the press conference that China, as the Security Council's permanent member and a responsible country, will continue to keep close communication and consultation with all parties concerned, and play its due role.

    The Rome Statute, signed in 1998 and implemented in 2002, formed the legal basis for the establishment of the ICC.

    The Security Council, under the UN Charter, has the power to suspend ICC investigations or prosecution for up to one year at a time, according to the Article 16 of the Rome Statute.