China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu’s Remarks on the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Charge against the Sudanese President:
Q: The Appellate Chamber of the ICC recently ordered the first ICC pretrial chamber to reconsider their decision not to charge Sudanese President al-Bashir with genocide. How do you comment on that?
A: Since the ICC sued the Sudanese leader in 2008, China has joined other developing countries in Africa and Arab as well as regional organizations including the African Union and the League of Arab States in expressing its explicit and deep concern. The situation in Sudan is now at a complicated, sensitive and critical stage. All parties concerned are pushing forward the Doha peace talks. Sudan is to hold the presidential election shortly and a referendum in January 2011. We don’t want to see the ICC’s move adding further complications to the resolution of the Darfur issue and North-South peace, which will disturb or even undermine the cooperative atmosphere. China is ready to work with the international community for an appropriate settlement of the Sudan issue on the basis of peace and stability of Sudan.
Source: China – Ministry of Foreign Affairs