BEIJING – China called Thursday for an International Criminal Court case against Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir to be uspended, warning an arrest warrant issued for him could jeopardise peace efforts.

The reaction to the historic warrant issued for alleged war crimes was in line with China's longtime support for Beshir's government, which has drawn much criticism in the West.

"China expresses its regretfulness and worry over the arrest warrant for the Sudan president issued by the International Criminal Court," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

Qin called on the UN Security Council to "urge the International Criminal Court not to hear this case for the time being."

The tribunal issued a warrant Wednesday for the arrest of 65-year-old Beshir "for his alleged responsibility for crimes committed in Darfur." It was the first-ever warrant for a sitting head of state.

The United Nations says up to 300,000 people have died since conflict broke out in Sudan's Darfur region in 2003, when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated regime for a greater share of resources and power.

A ceasefire has been agreed between the government and opposition groups but deadly clashes go on in the western region.

China is an ally and military supplier for Beshir's government, and its energy-guzzling economy relies on Sudan for oil imports.

Critics have accused China of not doing enough to use its influence with Sudan to help end the Darfur bloodshed.