Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan said here Tuesday that China hopes the parties concerned can cooperate to reach consensus on the Iraq issue soon.

Kong spoke in reply to questions on China's response to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's suggestion that the five UN Security Council permanent members should hold consultations on the Iraq issue.

Kong said the UN Security Council is now studying the draft resolution on Iraq proposed by the United States recently.

China has been contacting relevant parities on the issue and will also actively participate in the consultation, the spokesman said.

China hopes a new resolution on Iraq can be achieved and parties concerned will follow the spirit of cooperation to reach consensus soon, said Kong.

He said a meeting for the foreign ministers of the five UN Security Council permanent members is scheduled to open in Geneva this week.

"China has received an invitation and Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing is now considering his participation based on his schedule."

The Unites States distributed a draft resolution on Sept. 3 and asked for a multinational force to secure stability in Iraq and for more international help in rebuilding the country.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2003)