Beijing, Rajab 27, 1432, Jun 29, 2011, SPA - Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his Sudanese counterpart Omar Hasan Al-Bashir Wednesday, the German press agency "DPA" reported. State media quoted Hu as saying Al-Bashir's visit would "solidify and develop the traditional China-Sudan friendship and promote the two nations' practical cooperation in many fields." Chinese officials said earlier that Hu and al-Bashir would also discuss "Sudan's ongoing north-south peace process and the Darfur issue." Hu hosted a state welcome ceremony at Beijing's Great Hall of the People for al-Bashir before their first talks since Hu visited Sudan in 2007, news reports said. --SPA 13:01 LOCAL TIME 10:01 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/906634