Chinese FM Holds Talks with Iraqi Deputy PM

Chinese FM Holds Talks with Iraqi Deputy PM

---

China is ready to expand cooperation with Iraq in the political, cultural, trade, economic and other areas, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan told visiting Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tarik Aziz in Beijing Monday, November 27.

Tang and Aziz, who arrived Sunday at the invitation of the Chinese government, held talks Monday afternoon.

In the talks, Aziz informed Tang of the recent development in Iraq and the stance of the Iraqi government.

Aziz highly praised bilateral relations with China and China's principled stand on the Iraq issue, hoping that China will continue to play an active and important role in seeking a just and rational solution to the issue.

The United States has long been hostile to Iraq and has been trampling on Iraqi sovereignty and territorial integrity, Aziz said, adding that the United States intends to overthrow the government of Iraq instead of trying to solve the Gulf issue.

Tang stressed that the Chinese side is concerned about the development of the Iraq issue, and China sympathizes with the Iraqi people for their sufferings from sanctions.

Any sanction, blockade or strike against another nation is against the people's will and leads nowhere, Tang said.

He pointed out that the approaches taken by certain western countries to set up "no-fly zones" in Iraq are in violation of the United Nations Charter and norms of international relations and are in defiance of Iraqi sovereignty.

Air raids against Iraq have caused serious civilian casualties and massive property losses, and have further deteriorated the already intense situation, Tang said. "China strongly condemns such acts," he said.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has always adhered to the principles and upheld justice on the Iraq issue and has been striving to remove sanctions against Iraq during the past decade inside and outside the Security Council, Tang said.

He assured Aziz that China will continue to help resolve the issue.

Tang and Aziz also exchanged views on Sino-Iraqi relations and other international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Dai Bingguo, a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met with Aziz November 27 morning and exchanged views with him on the international and regional situation and enhancement of cooperation between the CPC and the Arab Baath Socialist Party.

Vice-Premier Meets Iraqi Deputy PM

Chinese Vice-Premier Qian Qichen met November 27 with Tarik Aziz, Iraqi deputy prime minister.

Aziz informed Qian of the Iraqi issue and the efforts made by the Iraqi government to remove sanctions. He said that the current international situation has undergone new changes, and Iraq has begun to restore its role and returned to the Arabian camp.

Iraq holds that the United States will not change its policy towards Iraq if Iraq fails to withstand the pressure from the United States, Aziz said.

Aziz expressed thanks for China's support to Iraq, saying that Iraq hopes to promote cooperation with China in all fields.

Qian said that the practice to control others is unpopular in the international community. China supports Iraq's efforts in removing sanctions, he said, adding that China is pleased to see Iraq improving relations with its neighboring countries and developing cooperation with the international community.