To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to encourage China, India and Malaysia to ensure that their activities and influences in the region are conducive to alleviating the conflict in Darfur. (142556)

We regularly discuss Darfur with the Chinese Government including at the UN. We want China to use its influence with the Sudanese Government to ensure Khartoum supports the deployment of joint UN peacekeeping forces in Darfur, as well as committing to a ceasefire and renewed political process. We gave this message to the Chinese Government before President Hu's visit to Africa earlier this year. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised Sudan with the Chinese Government during her trip there last month, as did my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister during his visit to China in April. We have also raised our concerns about Sudan directly with the Malaysians and Indians and pressed them to use their influence with Khartoum to get them to co-operate.