China is highly concerned about the developments in the Iraq issue and believes that the issue should be solved in a just and reasonable manner as soon as possible according to relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

The remarks were made by Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen in a meeting with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz on the evening of January 7.

Qian said that all resolutions passed by the Security Council can not be implemented without Iraq's cooperation. China is deeply sympathetic to the enormous amount of human suffering that the Iraqi people have had to endure due to economic sanctions over the past nine years. China hopes that sanctions will be lifted soon.

Aziz briefed Qian on Iraq's stance on the newly passed SecurityCouncil resolution and said that China is a reliable and trusted friend of the Iraqi people. Aziz expressed the hope that China will continue to push forward a just and reasonable settlement to the Iraq issue.