Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan told a United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday that China stands for a peaceful settlement of the Iraq issue.
Speaking to the UN Security Council, Tang listed three top priorities for future efforts to solve the crisis, namely, to continue weapons inspections in Iraq to clarify existing questions for comprehensive implementation of UN Resolution 1441, to urge Iraq for substantive cooperation in a more proactive manner, and stress the important role of the UN and uphold the unity and authority of the Security Council.
Earlier, Tang expressed China's consent and support for the joint statement issued by France, Russia and Germany on Wednesday and its persistent stand that the international community should do everything possible to avert war and make the utmost efforts for a political settlement of the issue.
Tang said a new resolution by the Security Council was unnecessary, especially one that implies authorization of the use of force.
(China Daily March 8, 2003)
