China hopes that the Iraqis will administrate their own affairs as soon as possible, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao in Beijing Tuesday.  

Liu made the remark in response to a question on the timetable that the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) and US-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) had recently set concerning the handover of sovereignty to Iraqis.

Liu said China hopes for an early stability of the Iraq situation. China is consistently supporting the United Nations in its role in Iraq reconstruction and in helping Iraq realize peace, stability and development, he added.

China will continue to play its due role in Iraq reconstruction, said Liu.

The CPA and the IGC reached an agreement on Nov. 15, setting a timetable for the transfer of power to the Iraqis next June.

(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2003)