China on Friday voiced support for the African Union (AU)'s important role in solving the Darfur issue.

"AU is a very important strategic partner in solving the Darfur question for the UN and its opinion and concern merits the high attention of the Security Council," Liu Zhenmin, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told a Security Council meeting.

Liu said that China welcomes the high-level panel on Darfur under the leadership of former South African President Thabo Mbeki to make in-depth study of the situation in Darfur.

China looks forward to the useful recommendations of this panel on how to appropriately solve questions like impunity, reconciliation and the healing of the wound of war, Liu said.

The Chinese diplomat said that the warrant signed by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the arrest of Sudan President Omar al-Bashir has caused unfavorable ramifications to the political process, the deployment of peacekeeping operation and humanitarian assistance.

Not long ago the AU summit has reiterated its clear position of opposing this action of the ICC, and China hopes that all the parties can fully respect the position of the AU and take actions to cooperate with its efforts for safeguarding the overall interests of peace in the Sudan, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2009)