Chirac said the Iraq issue had come to a critical juncture and its solution would affect the future of the world.

France held the opinion that at present the United Nations Security Council should not adopt a resolution authorizing the use of force and the international community should continue to make concerted efforts to avert war.

Jiang said currently the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1441 was proceeding fairly well and the weapons inspection mechanism should be strengthened.

China stood for continuing to seek to solve the Iraq issue by political means, and the door of peace should not be closed, Jiang said.

Every effort should be made for a political solution to the Iraq issue rather than choosing war, Jiang said.

China supported the joint declaration issued Wednesday by France, Germany and Russia, the contents of which basically accorded with China's position, Jiang told Chirac.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2003)