China hopes that a war against Iraq can be avoided and the crisis can be solved within the UN framework by political means, said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing Monday night.
During separate phone conversations with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw late Monday night, Li reiterated China's principled stance on the Iraq issue and said the whole world are concerned about the current situation.
Li said the related sides should be prudent in deciding whether or not to start a war. The common wish of the international community is for peace instead of war, he said.
Powell briefed Li on the United States' view of the current situation on the Iraq issue, saying the United States has decided not to ask for UN Security Council vote on the new draft resolution on the issue.
Powell also said the United States is willing to work with China to continue to enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Straw said though Britain and China have some differences in their views on the Iraq issue, Britain has always attached importance to its relations with China.
Straw said Britain is willing to maintain communication and cooperation with China on both bilateral and international issues.
(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2003)
