Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Beijing Monday that China will consider reducing the debts owned to it by Iraq out of humanitarian concern.  

Wen made the remarks when meeting with James Baker, special envoy to the US president, who began a visit to discuss the issue earlier Monday.

Wen said China fully understands the difficulties of reconstruction in Iraq and the situation of the Iraqi people.

Baker said the reconstruction in Iraq is conducive to world peace and stability. If the huge debts of Iraq could not be reduced or exempted, the reconstruction could make no progress, he said.

He hoped the United States and China could resolve the issue along with other debtors.

(Xinhua News Agency December 30, 2003)