Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan Tuesday called on countries
involved in the
war in
Iraq to abide by the Geneva Convention on the treatment of
prisoners of war (POWs).
"We appeal to the two sides to fully abide by the Geneva Convention
and other related international humanitarian conventions as the war
progresses,'' said Kong at a regular press briefing.
However, he reiterated again that military action on Iraq should be
halted so that the Iraqi issue could be resolved through political
and diplomatic processes.
"China will seriously consider any plan or suggestion conducive to
ending military action and restoring peace,'' said Kong.
According to the 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment
of Prisoners of War, POWs are to be accorded humanitarian treatment
and their personal rights and dignity are to be respected.
Kong's comments followed the display of US POWs on Iraqi
television. US officials have claimed that such footage was a
violation of the Geneva Convention -- however television footage
showing surrendered Iraqi soldiers has also drawn criticism.
In
another development, State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan Tuesday told
former US National Security Adviser Sandy Berger that the US,
Britain and other concerned countries should bring military action
to an end as soon as possible while doing their utmost to avoid
civilian casualties.
Tang stressed that the authority of the United Nations must be
respected.
Tang went on to say that, although Iraq should not possess weapons
of mass destruction of any kind, its sovereignty and territorial
integrity must be respected.
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Tuesday also stressed the importance
of ending military action in Iraq during a phone conversation with
his Bulgarian counterpart Solomon Pasi.
He
said that China is willing to co-operate with the international
community to push for an end to military action and a return to
diplomatic and political processes to resolve the Iraq issue.
Spokesman Kong told the press Tuesday that China is "seriously
concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in Iraq.''
On
Saturday, China's Foreign Ministry announced that it was ready to
send the first humanitarian assistance shipment to Jordan for Iraqi
refugees there.
Li
pledged Tuesday that China will provide new assistance if
necessary.
Kong Tuesday also briefed the press on the latest development
concerning the Chinese fishing trawler attacked in Sri Lanka.
According to Kong, seven bodies have so far been found. He said
that China has asked neighboring countries to assist in the search
for the other missing fishermen.
Fifteen Chinese on board a fishing trawler from East China's Fujian
Province went missing when their boat was hit by an unidentified
armed ship in the early hours of last Thursday off the east coast
of Sri Lanka. Of the eight who were rescued, five have received
medical treatment in the capital Colombo.
China has urged the Sri Lankan Government to make public the
investigation results as soon as possible, said Kong.
Turning to the killing of 24 Hindus by unidentified gunmen in
Kashmir on Monday, Kong said that China is "shocked'' and
"condemns'' the act.
He
also offered sympathy and condolences to the families of the
victims.
(China Daily March 26, 2003)