BEIJING - China on Friday applauded a roadmap put forward by the African Union (AU) to ease tensions between Sudan and South Sudan.

"The Chinese side appreciates the AU's unremitting efforts to address issues between Sudan and South Sudan, welcoming the roadmap it has raised recently to resolve the issues," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin at a regular news briefing.

Earlier this week, the AU presented a seven-point roadmap aimed at a cessation of hostilities between Sudan and South Sudan and urged the two sides to restart talks within two weeks.

The AU also urged the two neighbors to withdraw troops from the disputed border region and stop supporting rebel groups in the other nation.

"China hopes that the south and the north will restart talks and properly resolve the disputes at an early date with the mediation efforts by the AU and other parties of the international community," said Liu.

China is willing to work together with other parties of the international community to continue making efforts to promote peaceful coexistence between Sudan and South Sudan, he added.