China warned of Sudan oil attacks
Updated
![China's close links to Sudan could make it's interests in the African country a target for rebel attacks. [Reuters]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/china_sudan_rtr_280507.jpg "China's close links to Sudan could make it's interests in the African country a target for rebel attacks. [Reuters]")
China's close links to Sudan could make it's interests in the African country a target for rebel attacks. [Reuters]
A human rights activist is warning China that it risked rebel attacks against its oil interests in Sudan unless it put pressure on its ally Khartoum to end the violence in Darfur and south Sudan.
John Prendergast, is co-chair of ENOUGH, an initiative to end genocide and crimes against humanity.
He's just returned to New York from a trip to south Sudan where recent fighting in the oil-rich region of Abyei threatens a return to civil war.
He says former rebels who signed the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement are becoming increasingly concerned that they are going to have to fight for their independence referendum that is promised in 2011.
Mr Prendergast says if that happens the very first targets they will attack are Chinese oil installations.
He says China's government has close energy ties with Khartoum, and has a disproportionate responsibility in helping find a settlement to the conflicts in Darfur and south Sudan.
