Sudanese rebels say they will “soon” release 29 Chinese workers who were abducted in Southern Kordofan state more than one week ago.
A spokesman for the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North said Monday his rebel group is in contact with the Chinese government.
Earlier, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry said his government had been in touch with the workers by phone and he described them as being in good spirits.
The workers were abducted from a camp operated by a Chinese road construction company in the oil-rich state last month.
Southern Kordofan is located along the border with newly independent South Sudan. The SPLM-N rebels have traditionally been aligned with the south and have carried out rebel activities against the Sudanese government in recent years.
In recent months, Sudan has increased military attacks on rebels along the border, prompting thousands to flee into South Sudan for safety.
China's growing economic involvement in Africa includes oil drilling and road projects in insecure areas often considered too dangerous to operate in by Western companies.
Sudanese officials say China has more than 100 companies and 10,000 personnel working in the country. Since 2004, there have been three abductions of Chinese workers.
Sudan and South Sudan separated last year, following years of ethnic and religious conflicts, but tensions over how to divide oil revenues have continued. China is the biggest buyer of oil from Sudan, and has tried to maintain equally good relations with both countries.
