Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir met with President Hu Jintao in Beijing Wednesday morning, after delaying a previously-scheduled meeting. From Reuters:
Al-Bashir was greeted by President Hu Jintao at the Great Hall of the People and given an honor guard reception.
Hu said he was very happy to see al-Bashir in Beijing.
“I believe that this visit will definitely have great significance for the consolidation and development of traditionally friendly relations between China and Sudan,” Hu said. “I am willing to have thorough exchanges with you on our developing relations and other shared issues.”
Al-Bashir thanked his hosts for his “warm welcome and treatment.”
Their talks are expected to focus on challenges in the African nation ahead of south Sudan’s independence July 9.
Al-Nashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. Reuters continues:
South Sudan’s declaration of independence next month will be the culmination of a 2005 peace deal that ended more than two decades of civil war that killed more than 2 million people.
The violence also resulted in the war crimes charges against al-Bashir, the first against a sitting head of state until similar charges this week against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, who is accused him of crimes against humanity for killing civilians who rose up against his rule.
China and Sudan have signed a number of financial deals during meetings. See also a report on the visit from Xinhua.
