China and Iraq value their bilateral traditional friendship and would like to further the mutual cooperation in various fields.

This was the consensus reached by the two countries during Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz's working visit to China from January 6 through today, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said at today's regular press conference.

Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao and Vice-Premier Qian Qichen met separately with Aziz, and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan held talks with him during his stay in Beijing, Zhu said.

The two sides exchanged views on the latest developments in the Iraq issue, bilateral relations and international issues of common concern, he added.

Zhu said that Aziz briefed China on Iraq's stance on Resolution No. 1284 of the United Nations Security Council, and said he appreciates China's constant, objective and just stand on the Iraq issue.

Aziz said he hopes China will play a more important role in settling the issue at an early date, Zhu noted.

China reiterated its principled position on the Iraq issue, stressing that Iraq should cooperate with the United Nations and implement relevant resolutions passed by the UN Security Council, Zhu said.

In turn, the Security Council should make an objective evaluation of the implementation of its resolutions by Iraq, and based on their findings should gradually loosen and finally lift their sanctions against Iraq, he said.

At the same time, he said, the international community should also respect Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Chinese side has called for political goodwill from all sides involved in settling the Iraq issue, and is willing to continue making efforts, together with concerned countries and the international community, toward finding a fair and just solution to the problem as soon as possible, the spokesman said.

The Chinese and Iraqi sides have agreed to keep in close contact, he said.