The fifth batch of materials for humanitarian aid provided by the Chinese government for Sudan was shipped on Friday at north China's port of Tianjin.

The 40 million yuan (US$5.2 million) worth materials include cross-country vehicles, ambulances, medical instruments, and mobile houses.

China had sent four batches of materials to help residents in the Darfur region improve their living conditions.

In 2004 the Chinese government pledged five batches of humanitarian aid to Darfur to ease the humanitarian problems caused by conflicts in the area in western Sudan.

Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wei Jianguo said the Chinese government had consistently strived for solution to the Darfur issue.

"The Chinese government wishes to see early realization of peace, stability and economic reconstruction through negotiations in the Darfur region," Wei said.

Abdelmoniem Osman Eibeiti, a diplomat with the Sudanese embassy to China, expressed thanks on behalf of the Sudanese government for the aid from China, which he said is a testimony of Sudan-China friendly relations.

Also on Friday's shipping ceremony, China's Special Envoy for Darfur Liu Guijin said the situation in Darfur region has eased and some positive progress has been made.

Liu called on the international community to keep on cooperation and give full play to the mechanism of the United Nations, African Union and Sudanese government so as to realize peace and stability in the region.

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2007)