Zhou Yongkang (R Front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, arrives at the international airport in Khartoum for a three-day official goodwill visit to Sudan on Nov. 16, 2009. (Xinhua photo)

Senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Zhou Yongkang arrived in Khartoum on Monday, kicking off his three-day official goodwill visit to Sudan.

Zhou, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, visits Sudan at the invitation of Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP).

Zhou said in a speech at Khartoum airport that his visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of establishment of China-Sudan diplomatic ties, and he is expecting to meet with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and other Sudanese government and party leaders to discuss how to further advance bilateral relationship.

Zhou Yongkang (C), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, arrives at the international airport in Khartoum for a three-day official goodwill visit to Sudan on Nov. 16, 2009. (Xinhua photo)

Zhou highlighted the oil cooperation between the two countries. "Ten years ago, I, as a special envoy of the Chinese government, jointly inaugurated the cooperation on oil exploitation with Sudanese leaders."

"In the past 10 years, the oil cooperation between China and Sudan has borne abundant fruits, and has also given a spur to the mutually beneficial cooperation in other fields," Zhou said.

Zhou said China is willing to work jointly with Sudan to materialize the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries in a bid to write a new chapter for China-Sudan friendship.

"I am confident that my visit will help deepen China-Sudan traditional friendship, lift friendly cooperation to a new height so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples," Zhou said.

Sudan is Zhou's first stop of his two-leg visit. Zhou will also visit South Africa.