During a press conference following their meeting, Premier Zhu said China and Turkey "share identical views" on the Iraqi issue and hold that the problem "should be resolved within the framework of the United Nations."

Iraq has already submitted its inspection report to the United Nations, Zhu noted. China hopes that the views of UN inspectors and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would be respected.

"Of course, we also stand for unconditional cooperation between Iraq and the United Nations and respect for the UN-monitored inspection," Zhu said.

China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, will work along with other permanent members, Turkey and other nations for a peaceful settlement of the Iraqi issue, Zhu said.

Erdogan said Turkey adheres to a peaceful settlement of the Iraqi issue, and that the Turkish and Chinese sides agree to this stance.

Turkish Prime Minister Abdullah Gul had visited Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iran two weeks ago to exchange views on the settlement of the Iraq issue, he said.

Turkey has also contacted Iraqi officials to urge that they resort to a cooperative attitude, he said.

All of these initiatives, Erdogan added, indicated Turkey's readiness to achieve a peaceful settlement of the problem.

Turkish stance on Xinjiang applauded

Zhu applauded the recognition of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as an inseparable part of China by the Turkish Government and spoke highly of Turkey's stance that it will not allow anyone within its country to engage in activities to separate China.

According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Erdogan said the Turkish Government will continue to stick to the one-China policy and respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He added Turkey opposes terrorism of any kind and stands willing to co-operate with China to fight against it.

East Turkistan elements, including the "East Turkistan Islamic Movement,'' which is on a United Nations (UN) Security Council list of terrorist groups, have resorted to terrorism in the hope of setting up an independent state in Xinjiang.

Erdogan is in China for a four-day visit. He is also scheduled to visit East China's commercial hub Shanghai.

Sino-Turkish co-operation has witnessed smooth development in recent years, indicated by the year-on-year growth in trade.

Official statistics show the trade volume between China and Turkey reached US$905 million in 2001, with Chinese exports hitting US$674 million.

With Turkey added to China's list of tourist destinations, bilateral contact and exchanges are expected to be further boosted.

The Chinese Premier Tuesday invited Turkish enterprises to participate in construction projects for the 2008 Olympic Games and 2010 World Expo.

He added the Chinese Government will also encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Turkey.

Stressing political ties as a basis for bilateral trade and economic co-operation, Erdogan replied by saying Turkey is willing to co-operate with China in such areas as construction and tourism.

(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2003)