China supports the UN observer mission in Georgia in the performance of its duties, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a press conference on Thursday.

She said the mission, since its establishment, had played an important role in maintaining peace and stability in Abkhazia.

The mission was sent to Georgia in August 1993 under UN Security Council resolution No. 858, which aimed to supervise the implementation of the cease-fire agreement between Georgia and Abkhazia reached in July that year.

As for proposals that the UN send peace-keeping forces to South Ossetia, Jiang said China has noted the situation and will consider it.

(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2008)