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China under pressure over Darfur China 'regrets' Spielberg action
(40 minutes later)
China faces more pressure over Darfur, following director Steven Spielberg's decision to withdraw as a Beijing Olympics adviser over the issue. China has expressed regret over the decision by director Steven Spielberg to pull out as artistic adviser to the Beijing Olympics over the Darfur issue.
The director said his conscience would not allow him to continue in the role.
A UK daily has published a letter from 80 Nobel laureates and artists urging Beijing to help end the conflict.A UK daily has published a letter from 80 Nobel laureates and artists urging Beijing to help end the conflict.
China has remained quiet on the issue. Neither the foreign ministry nor Olympics organisers have formally responded to Mr Spielberg's move. China has strong economic and military ties with Sudan, which campaigners say Beijing should use to put pressure on Khartoum to resolve the Darfur crisis.
But US-based diplomats said that it was not fair to link China with Darfur. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said: "We have taken notice that recently there have been many controversies and actions involving China and Darfur.
"As the Darfur issue is neither an internal issue of China, nor is it caused by China, it is completely unreasonable, irresponsible and unfair for certain organisations and individuals to link the two as one," a statement from China's Washington embassy said. "It is understandable if some people do not understand the Chinese government policy on Darfur, but I am afraid that some people may have ulterior motives, and this we cannot accept," he told a regular news conference.
"China is also concerned about the humanitarian situation in Darfur. [But] empty rhetoric will not help. We hope that relevant people will be more pragmatic."
OLYMPICS ROW Famous names involved in advising the Olympics include director Zhang Yimou and Kung Fu star Jackie ChanHollywood stars Mia Farrow and George Clooney have criticised China over Darfur Athletes put focus on DarfurOLYMPICS ROW Famous names involved in advising the Olympics include director Zhang Yimou and Kung Fu star Jackie ChanHollywood stars Mia Farrow and George Clooney have criticised China over Darfur Athletes put focus on Darfur
The statement, which did not refer directly to Mr Spielberg, urged against politicising the Olympics.
A regular Chinese foreign ministry press conference is scheduled for later on Thursday.
At least 200,000 people have been killed and two million forced from their homes in the five-year conflict in Sudan's Darfur region, where government-linked militia are battling rebel groups.At least 200,000 people have been killed and two million forced from their homes in the five-year conflict in Sudan's Darfur region, where government-linked militia are battling rebel groups.
Sudan, with its vast oil reserves, sells some two-thirds of its oil to Beijing.Sudan, with its vast oil reserves, sells some two-thirds of its oil to Beijing.
In turn, Beijing sells weapons to the Sudanese government and has blocked efforts to pressure Khartoum in the UN Security Council.In turn, Beijing sells weapons to the Sudanese government and has blocked efforts to pressure Khartoum in the UN Security Council.
'Ongoing failure 'Ongoing failure'
Mr Spielberg's announcement late on Tuesday constitutes Beijing's first big setback in staging the Games, analysts say. Mr Spielberg's announcement late on Tuesday is Beijing's first big setback in staging the Games, analysts say.
The renowned director, who had been brought in as artistic adviser for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, said his conscience would not allow him to continue in the role.The renowned director, who had been brought in as artistic adviser for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, said his conscience would not allow him to continue in the role.
HAVE YOUR SAY The real question is why the Olympics were awarded to China in the first place Vladi, California Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The real question is why the Olympics were awarded to China in the first place Vladi, California Send us your comments
"Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these on-going crimes, but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more," he said. "Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these ongoing crimes, but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more," he said.
Adding to the pressure, a British daily has published on its front page the full text of a letter signed by 80 Nobel laureates, politicians and artists to Chinese President Hu Jintao urging greater action on Darfur. Adding to the pressure, British newspaper the Independent has published on its front page the full text of a letter signed by 80 Nobel laureates, politicians and artists to Chinese President Hu Jintao urging greater action on Darfur.
The letter, released by campaigning group Crisis Action on 12 February, said that China had both the opportunity and the responsibility to help bring peace to the troubled region. Signatories include South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu, US former Senator Bill Frist and British playwright Tom Stoppard, as well as a host of former Olympians.
The letter, released by campaigning group Crisis Action on 12 February, said China had both the opportunity and the responsibility to help bring peace to the troubled region.
"Ongoing failure to rise to this responsibility amounts, in our view, to support for a government that continues to carry out atrocities against its own people," the letter said."Ongoing failure to rise to this responsibility amounts, in our view, to support for a government that continues to carry out atrocities against its own people," the letter said.
While there has been little response from China as yet, one daily did comment on the matter.
"The vast majority of Chinese people have expressed bafflement and outrage at the Western pressure," state-run tabloid Global Times said.
"In their view, it's absolutely absurd to place the Darfur issue, so many thousands of miles away, on the head of China."