Li Yuzhen, president of the Higher People's Court of Shanxi Province, north China, said he feared such a war could have a negative impact on China's economy and modernization drive. "As one of the peace-loving people in China, I really don't want to see the outbreak of a any war in any part of the world," he said.

The war will benefit neither Iraqis nor Americans, since a war would deplete money, materials and manpower, and it is always the people who suffer most, said Chen Dahao, another NPC deputy from northern Shanxi Province.

He said the United Nations had passed the resolution 1441 which stipulated detailed regulations concerning the arms inspections in Iraq and, as a UN member, China, of course, hopes that all countries concerned would act in compliance with it.

Zhao Mei, a prestigious female Chinese writer, voiced her opposition to any war, saying that there would be a chain of reactions in the wake of a war and that the war would always be something ruthless to the humankind.

Under the present complex international situation, she said, the Chinese government has been proven mature on the Iraq issue and has played its "due role" in the international community.

"The Iraqi people have been undergoing untold suffering from turmoil for years," said Su Guanglin, a NPC deputy from Gansu Province, in northwest China, "I show my sympathy with them and hope that they lead a peaceful and tranquil life."

According to Kong Quan, a spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry recently, Chinese people have voiced their ardent aspiration, in various forms, to check war and find a peaceful settlement of the Iraq issue. The Chinese people are supporting the stance of their government on the Iraq issue, Kong noted.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2003)