The international discourse on the Darfur conflict took a dramatic turn last Thursday, when China announced in the press that President Hu Jintao would finally be pressing the Sudanese government to address the massive humanitarian crisis within its borders. China's role as an oil investor and arms provider has moved into the international spotlight over the course of this year after abuses by the Khartoum regime have increased despite efforts by the U.N-African Union peacekeeping deployment, UNAMID.