On August 7, approximately 200 activists, clergy and elected officials once again gathered in front of the Chinese Consulate to call on China - as Sudan's chief diplomatic sponsor, major weapons provider and largest foreign investor and trade partner and as host of the 2008 Summer Olympics - to use its unique position to lead the world in bringing an end to the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

In light of recent allegations that China continues to sell aircraft and weapons to the Sudanese government in violation of the arms embargo, activists said the situation is untenable.

"The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics are (here)," said Janice Kamenir-Reznik, co-founder and president of Jewish World Watch, which includes some local synagogues. "With it, our window of opportunity to use the leverage of the Summer Olympics on behalf of the people of Darfur isclosing fast. However, China must understand that we will continue to raise ourvoices month after month to make the statement that a country that chooses the theme, 'One world, one dream' for the 2008 Olympic Summer Games, must "dream" of ending genocide and, more importantly, stop funding it - especially inflagrant violation of the arms embargo."

Rabbi Ari Leubitz of Bnai David, a Modern Orthodox congregation added, "China has the chance to win international applause and gratitude by taking action on Darfur ... by taking positive action on human rights before the games. It's not too late."

China is Sudan's leading foreign investor, one of its largest oil exporters and one of its closest allies. An estimated 70 percent of Sudan's crude exports go to China.

China is also one of the greatest sources of Sudan's arms - including not onlyguns and leg irons, but also heavy equipment, such as helicopters and fighteraircraft. In the meantime, Chinese investments soften the impact of sanctionsthat individual countries have imposed, and China has blocked major efforts toimpose international sanctions on Khartoum for the atrocities it is carryingout against its own people.

Activistshave had four demands for China that have not been fulfilled. They are:

* - Immediately provide half of the transport helicopters that UNAMID requires, with support from Europe and the United States for maintenance and contracting arrangements.

* - Support punitive measures, such as UN Security Council-targeted sanctions, against Khartoum officials, until peace and security for Darfur is achieved. UN-targeted sanctions should be imposed immediately against government, rebel or militia officials who are responsiblefor undermining UNAMID's deployment, the North-South peace deal, or regional stability, such as attempting to overthrow the government in neighboring Chad.

* - Verifiably suspend all military cooperation with the Khartoum regime, including weapons transfers, until peace and security for Darfur is achieved.

* - Work with the United States France, and the United Kingdom in a quartet supporting UN and African Union initiatives in Darfur, Southern Sudan and Chad. This cooperative work on the peace process needs to be comprehensive.

The problems of Darfur, Southern Sudan and Chad are intertwined, so unless peace is advanced on all of these fronts, it will be unlikely to be achieved on any of these fronts.

"As we all know, China has had a deplorable record for human rightsviolations," continued Kamenir-Reznik. "The Olympics gave China the opportunity to enter the world stage andcreate a new image for itself as a world leader that refuses to be party to agenocide. Unfortunately, China chose not to do so and instead has refused to meet its responsibilities as a world citizen or use its influence on the Sudanese government to assist the peace process. Until China recognizes its part in this atrocity, we will continue to rally every month in front of this consulate."

Jewish World Watch is a coalition of almost 60 synagogues working together to mobilize synagogues, their schools, members and the community to combat genocide andother egregious violations of human rights around the world.

In response to the 400,000 civilians who have been murdered and the nearly 2.5 million people who have been displaced in the Sudan, Jewish World Watch chose Darfur as its first advocacy campaign.

Since its inception, these synagogues have actively mobilized to stop the genocide in Darfur and have allocated more than $1 million in direct assistance to the people in Darfur.