By Ben Blanchard
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's envoy to the strike-tornSudanese region of Darfur on Thursday accused western media andnon-governmental groups of stirring up anti-Chinese feelingsamong opposition groups in the African country.
China has faced widespread Western criticism that it hasnot used its oil, arms and business stakes in Sudan to pressfor an end to deadly havoc in the vast, arid Darfur region.
Last year, the rebel Justice and Equality Movement attackeda Chinese-run oil field in Sudan as part of a campaign to forceChinese oil companies to leave, and has previously demandedChina pull its peacekeepers out of Darfur.
China's Darfur envoy, Liu Guijin, said such groups did notunderstand what Beijing was trying to do in the region.
"Some important opposition groups have some views on China,but it's hard to simply call them an anti-Chinese force," hetold reporters on the sidelines of a forum on Darfur inBeijing.
"Because of the western media, and especially the stirringof some non-governmental organisations, China's role has beendistorted in their eyes. Some important opposition groups havebeen influenced by this," Liu added.
"But generally speaking, various sides in Darfur welcomeChina's positive attitude in getting involved in solving theDarfur issue. At the same time, they see China's contribution."
International experts estimate some 200,000 have died and2.5 million have been forced to flee homes in Darfur sinceconflict erupted in 2003, when rebels took up arms against thecentral government. The government has mobilised mainly Arabmilitias to quell the revolt.
China's role has come under renewed attention since filmdirector Steven Spielberg quit as an artistic adviser to the2008 Beijing Olympics, saying China had failed to use its swayin Khartoum to seek peace. China is a big investor in Sudan'soil and its largest weapons supplier. Liu has met oppositiongroups in Darfur in a bid to find a peaceful solution.
"I think our contribution has been positive, constructiveand seen by everybody. Of course this is not a problem thatChina can solve by its hard work alone. It needs the hard workof the international community, including China," he said.
Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun added that China wasperhaps not being forceful enough in getting its message aboutits role in Darfur across to the outside world.
"People who are dissatisfied probably don't reallyunderstand what China has done. We have not said enough. Weshould say more," he said.
(Editing by Nick Macfie)