Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing had phone conversations with British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jack Straw and US Secretary of State Colin Powell, regarding the UN's draft resolution on Iraq and other key issues in Beijing Wednesday evening.

Straw and Powell conveyed congratulations to the Chinese people on the successful launch of the Shenzhou V manned spaceship.

On the Iraq issue, Straw said the current UN draft resolution absorbed concerns from all UN Security Council members, including China, and stressed the role of the United Nations. He hoped the resolution could be passed at an early date.

Powell said all sides have had serious consultations on the draft resolution. The US and British sides have made further revisions to the text and hoped it would gain wide support.

Li said the passage of a new resolution by the UN Security Council with balanced contents and taking into consideration concerns from all sides is conducive to the early stability of Iraq and the smooth beginning of the country's reconstruction, thus meeting the interests of the Iraqi people.

China welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the draft resolution and hoped the US and Britain would make continuous efforts to take account of other nations' concerns and strive for consensus.

On the Korean nuclear issue, Li stressed that the dialogue should be continued and hoped all sides would show further sincerity and flexibility. The Chinese side will continue to enhance coordination and communication to promote peace and dialogue.

Straw and Powell agreed with Li and expressed appreciation of China's important role in resolving the Korean nuclear issue.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2003)