Chinese FM on Iraq, Korean Peninsula Nuclear Issues

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, January 22, 2003

Chinese FM on Iraq, Korean Peninsula Nuclear Issues

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Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said in the United Nations Monday that the submission of the formal report by UN weapons inspectors on 27 this month only marks a new beginning of the inspection process, rather than a full stop.

Answering questions from reporters before attending the UN Security Council ministerial meeting on the fight against terrorism, he said as both chief inspectors had expressed a need for more time because there is much more to do, "We should respecttheir opinion and support their work."

Since the United Nations resumed its inspection of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the inspections have been proceeding well, and this should be affirmed, he noted.

But he stressed that an objective, impartial and respectful attitude toward the assessment of the inspectors' work should be adopted so that inspections can be continued in a more effective way.

On the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula, Tang reiterated China's persistent stand, namely, China makes efforts to maintain peace and stability on the Peninsula.

He said China has always stood for a solution to the differences over issues through political and diplomatic means. More importantly, China stands for the establishment of a nuclear-free zone on the Korean Peninsula.

Direct dialogues between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States is the key to any solution to issues concerning the Korean Peninsula, the Chinese foreign minister said, adding this is one of precious experience China hasdrawn from dealing with the situations on the Peninsula.

He said while China does not rule out options of other constructive proposals and solutions, these must meet two prerequisites, that is, they should be conducive to peace and stability on the Peninsula and should be in the interest of all relevant parties.

Secondly, since this is a DPRK nuclear issue, the relevant parties should approach the DPRK first to get its consent.

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