"We hope the UN can deal with the crisis and avoid war, so as to pave the way for future world peace," said Ruan Cao, chairman of the Student Union of the university.

One after another, the students listed serious consequences that will be brought by the possible war on Iraq, including the killing of innocent civilians, the exile of refugees, and the regression of the world economy.

"In fact, the disaster brought about by war is even greater than the predicted harm of 'weapons of massive destruction'," said Yin Jun, a student majoring in Chinese economy.

Most of the students agreed that there is still hope to solve the problem politically and all parties concerned should spare no efforts for this end.

The symposium, jointly held by the Student Union and the Postgraduate Union of Peking University, called in over 40 students and teachers from the university to discuss the problem.

(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2003)