Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao said China deeply regrets the anarchy in post-war Iraq, and strongly condemns the robbery.

According to the international law, Liu said, parties engaged in war have the obligation to secure people and property of foreign embassies and consulates. The Chinese side has proposed an emergent negotiation with the United States, asking the latter to take effective measures to prevent any further impingement upon the Chinese embassy to Iraq and replevy the robbed possessions.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2003)