UNITED NATIONS - China on Thursday voiced its support for a peaceful and comprehensive settlement of the Darfur issue, saying that efforts should be made to remove the root causes that resulted in such an issue.

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The statement came as Yang Tao, the counselor of the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations, was taking the floor at an open Security Council meeting on Sudan.

"Currently, it is very important to maintain security and stability in Darfur," Yang said. "It is hoped that all parties to the Darfur conflict can solve their differences in a peaceful manner through political dialogue, and reconciliation should be achieved and violence avoided."

"Achieving substantial result at an early date of the Darfur peace process and reaching a comprehensive political agreement represents a basic guarantee for the long-term peace and stability in Darfur," he said.

"Without a robust political process, there would be no peace and stability in Darfur, neither would there be the protection of civilians, humanitarian assistance, economic recovery and reconstruction," he said.

"We once again urged the armed groups which have not yet joined the Doha political process to do so immediately without any conditions," he said.

As a mediator of the Darfur peace process, Doha has brokered several rounds of talks between Khartoum and rebel groups over the past years.

The Chinese government has decided to make an additional donation of $500,000 to the UN Trust Fund for the political process in Darfur, he said. "We will continue to work with the international community to contribute to the peace, stability and development in Sudan."