Darfur, in western Sudan, has drawn intensive media coverage from around the world as conflicts between communities of different ethnicities, tribes and religions have caused the deaths of tens of thousands of people and driven millions from their homes since 2003.

The Sudan government remains a target for severe media and public condemnation as the chief "culprit" in this human tragedy.

The accusations have escalated with some Western countries pushing for sanctions against Sudan. The call for sanctions followed the Sudan government's initial rejection of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1706. The resolution, passed last August, aimed to expand the mandate of the UN mission in Sudan, including Darfur.

Harsh demands have been made of Sudan but little respect has been shown for the country one of the largest on the African continent. As a sovereign nation, Sudan, which learned bitter lessons during the colonial years, aspires to territorial integrity, national unity, ethnic reconciliation and regional peace and stability.

There has been a lot of talk about sanctions, which ignores the fact that the root cause of the clashes in Darfur is extreme poverty. This can only be addressed through continuous economic and social development in a stable and peaceful environment.

China has taken into consideration all the concerns and worked with perseverance. It has been playing a critical and constructive role in pushing for concrete actions to secure peace and stability in the Darfur region.

Early this week, Sudan reached an agreement with the United Nations and the African Union (AU) to allow limited UN troops and police to support the 7,000-strong AU force in Darfur.

In recognition of humanitarian and security issues, China has sent relief and provided funds to the local people and the AU peacekeeping forces.

China has done its work in Sudan with the belief that political dialogue among all participants on an equal footing will lead to the gradual realization of peace in Darfur.

Pressures to force the government of Sudan to abandon its rights and the threat to impose sanctions will only aggravate problems.

(China Daily April 13, 2007)