Hu made the remark during a phone conversation with French President Jacques Chirac Tuesday.

Hu said the only correct path was to give the role of the United Nations full play, preserve the unity and authority of the UN Security Council and solve the Iraq crisis politically within the UN framework.

Noting China had contributed much to this end, Hu said both countries as permanent members of the Security Council should continue to help safeguard world peace.

Congratulating Hu on his election as China's president, Chirac said one of France's foreign policy keynotes was to boost its cooperation with China.

At present, the friendly cooperation between the two countries had made remarkable progress in various fields, he said.

Echoing Chirac's positive views on bilateral ties, Hu said both China and France were big powers with significant world impact.

In view of the changing world and complicated international circumstances, Hu said it served the fundamental interests of both countries to further strengthen bilateral coordination and communication.

It was of great significance for both nations to safeguard world peace and promote mutual development, Hu said, adding China was willing to join with France in promoting a full Sino-French partnership.

On the Iraq crisis, Chirac said the stance upheld by France and China represented the wishes of the international community, but the current situation was growing even worse.

(Xinhua News Agency March 19, 2003)