BEIJING - China welcomes Sudan's positive move toward a smooth referendum on the future of the south of the country, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Thursday.

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"The official launch of the voter registration process is a positive step towards a smooth south Sudan referendum," Hong Lei told a press briefing.

Voter registration started Monday in all states of Sudan. Around 5 million southern Sudanese are expected to register to vote between Nov 15 and Dec 1, according to the schedule set by the South Sudan Referendum Commission.

China was willing to work with the international community to continually support and encourage the full implementation of the peace agreement through dialogue and consultation by the north and the south, achieving long term stability and development in Sudan, Hong Lei said.