””””BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhuanet) -- China is deeply
worried about the current critical situation on the Iraq issue and regrets the
forced halt of UN weapons inspections in Iraq, Chinese Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing said Tuesday night.
””””Li made the remarks during phone conversations with his French and
Brazilian counterparts Dominique de Villepin and Celso Amorim,respectively.
””””China believes achievements have been made in implementing the UN Security
Council Resolution 1441, Li said.
””””The Chinese government has, as always, stood for solving the Iraq issue
within the UN framework and by political means, and hasmade concrete efforts in
this regard, he said.
””””China is willing to continue to make the utmost effort togetherwith the
international community to avert war and solve the Iraq issue by political
means, Li said.
””””De Villepin said during his phone talk with Li that the political
partnership between France and China has priority in France's external relations
and that France values the exchanges of views with China on major international
issues.
””””The French foreign minister said that France still insists on seeking
political solution to the Iraq issue and does not endorse any action bypassing
the United Nations.
””””Li said the comprehensive partnership between China and France is
developing in a deepgoing way and the leaders of the two countries have kept
close contact.
””””Li told his French counterpart that the Chinese side is willingto further
enhance cooperation with France in various aspects.
””””Amorim said during his phone talk with Li that the Brazilian President and
government are enthusiastic in developing relations with China. Brazil highly
values the effective cooperation betweenthe two countries in the fields of
trade, economy, science, technology and culture.
””””Brazil hopes to further increase political consultations with China on
international issues, Amorim said.
””””Amorim said that Brazil hopes the Iraq issue can be settled within the
framework of the United Nations.
””””Li told his Brazilian counterpart that the Chinese government attaches
great importance to developing strategic partnership withBrazil.
””””China and Brazil are both major developing countries. Under thecurrent
complicated international circumstances, keeping close consultations and
cooperation between the two countries will help maintain global peace, push
forward multipolirazation of the worldand safeguard the interest of developing
countries, Li said. Enditem
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