UNITED NATIONS, - China welcomes the smooth completion of the referendum in south Sudan, which is "an important step" towards the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peaceful Agreement, a senior Chinese diplomat said here on Tuesday.

Addressing an open debate on the situation of Sudan in the Security Council, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN Wang Min said that the referendum in south Sudan is not an end in itself in implementing the CPA, instead, realizing sustainable peace, stability and development in Sudan is the final purpose.

"No matter what the outcome of the referendum is, it is imperative to ensure the long-term peace and stability in Sudan and the region at large," said Wang.

Wang noted that China hoped to see the north and south Sudan would continue to conduct dialogue and consultations, so as to reach an earlier agreement on such issues as the status of Abyei, wealth sharing and border demarcation, lying down a foundation for further promoting the north-south peace process.

On Saturday, South Sudan referendum polling centers closed. The referendum will determine whether south Sudan remains a part of Sudan or becomes independent, in accordance with the 2005 CPA that ended a long-running north-south civil war.  

In order to assist Sudan in the referendum, China has donated to the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission 500,000 U.S. dollars in cash and provided its bureau with support in kind. China has also sent a group of observers to Sudan.

Wang reiterated China's willingness to "work together with the international community and the parties concerned to continue to play an active and constructive role in promoting the long-term peace, stability and development of Sudan."

Concerning the situation in Darfur region, Wang said that China supports a peaceful and comprehensive settlement to the Darfur issue, in particular the tackling of the root causes for the issue.

"At present, the security situation in Darfur is very fragile, and humanitarian assistance is faced with many difficulties, " said Wang, "the root cause is the lack of a strong and widely supported political agreement in Darfur."

China called on the Security Council and international community to strengthen support for political process in Darfur and urged the Darfur rebel groups to join the peace talks without conditions and delay, said Wang.