Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Friday met with visiting Sudanese President Omer Hassan Ahmed El-Bashir, saying the two countries are enjoying a stable relationship.

The China-Sudan ties are the normal country-to-country relationship, which was established on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, said Wen, adding the two were also broadening their cooperation areas.

Chinese companies doing businesses in Sudan have provided constant assistance to the poor people in Sudan, a move that is welcomed by the locals, Wen stressed.

Wen said China is very concerned about the situation in Darfur and has provided humanitarian aid to the Sudanese government. China supports the UN resolution on the issue, insisting on settling the issue through peaceful means, he said.

China hopes Sudan strengthen cooperation with the international community, sincerely implement the UN resolution and realize comprehensive peace and stability in Darfur at an early date, said Wen.

El-Bashir, who arrived here for the upcoming two-day Beijing Summit of the Forum on the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), said bilateral relations are developing smoothly, and the two have scored fruitful cooperation.

China's assistance will benefit the social and economic development in Sudan and the Sudanese people. Sudan hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in fields of energy, power and transportation, El-Bashir said.

The Sudanese president also briefed Wen on the peace process of his country as well as the Sudanese government's efforts to peacefully solve the Darfur issue.

China and Sudan forged diplomatic relations on Feb. 4, 1959. Chinese President Hu Jintao met with El-Bashir in 2005, on the sidelines of Asia-Africa Summit. Bilateral trade topped 3.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2005.

So far, 47 delegations of the 48 African countries, including 41 heads of state or government, have arrived for the summit, a landmark in China-Africa relations.

Source: Xinhua