Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has praised China for helping his country to blunt the impact of U.S.-led economic sanctions in an interview ahead of his arrival in Beijing Monday.

Mr. Bashir also said in the interview with China's Xinhua news agency that he expects Beijing to continue to have good relations with both northern and southern Sudan after the regions separate on July 9.

Mr. Bashir was expected to discuss the split with Chinese President Hu Jintao at a meeting later Monday. The four-day visit has been condemned by human rights group because of China's refusal to arrest Mr. Bashir on warrants issued by the International Criminal Court at The Hague.

In his interview, Mr. Bashir said Sudan found a “true partner” in China after Western oil companies were limited from working in Sudan by sanctions imposed because of fighting in Darfur. He said China is funding and implementing many projects in Sudan, surprising other African and Arab countries which had thought the sanctions would make it impossible for Sudan to extract its oil.

He said the success of the Sino-Sudanese relationship is leading other African countries to search for “the real and loyal partner.” He also said the establishment of Chinese relations with the new state in southern Sudan — which will inherit a large part of Sudan's oil reserves — will not detract from its relations with Khartoum.