Beijing - China says it will send an envoy to mediate between Sudan and South Sudan over a dispute threatening their oil exports.
Sudan said last week it had suspended oil exports from South Sudan via its ports until the two nations reached a deal on transit fees.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Monday that China was concerned negotiations on the issue between the two recently separated countries had stalled. He said Beijing's special envoy for African affairs, Liu Guijin, would visit soon.
China is keen to preserve stability between the two countries as two-thirds of Sudan's oil went to China last year.
China is also beginning to flex its diplomatic muscle as its economic stature rises. - Sapa-AP