BEIJING - China urged Sudan and South Sudan on Monday to protect the rights and interests of Chinese oil companies that have established projects in the two countries.

"Chinese oil companies and their partners have major projects in both Sudan and South Sudan. Their legitimate rights and interests deserve substantial protection," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a regular press conference.

Liu said the oil industry is an economic lifeline for both Sudan and South Sudan, calling on the two nations to remain rational and appropriately resolve oil disputes through negotiation.

"China will work with the international community to make efforts to promote this process," Liu said

According to local media, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir recently vowed to refuse talks with South Sudan on oil issues and will not allow South Sudan to transport oil through Sudanese territory.

Liu said China hopes both sides will remain "calm and restrained", respect each other's sovereignty, increase mutual trust, actively cooperate with international mediation endeavors and resume negotiations at an early date.

The spokesman said China will continue to make constructive efforts to promote peace and negotiation between the two nations with the rest of the international community.

The South Sudanese army said Sunday that it has finished its withdrawal from the Heglig oil field after suffering huge casualties in a ten-day battle with the Sudanese army. However, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir announced earlier Friday that the Sudanese army had retaken the Heglig region by force.

The seizure of Heglig by the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), South Sudan's army, on April 10 led to the suspension of negotiations between both countries on outstanding issues between them.