Zhang Yishan, Chinese deputy envoy to the UN told reporters that since the job of the UN weapons inspectors has not completed, China hopes the inspectors would go on with their work entrusted by the UN Security Council Resolution 1441 "impartially, objectively and professionally."

He said the UN has started this process and there is no clear reason to stop, the inspector should continue their work, adding it is up to the Security Council to decide how long it will take to finish the inspection process.

The Chinese envoy also urged Iraq to be more cooperative with the UN inspectors, and abide by relevant UN resolutions, especially resolution 1441.

Resolution 1441 gives Iraq "a final opportunity" to eliminate its nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and the long-range missiles. It gives inspectors the right to go anywhere at anytime and warns Iraq it will face "serious consequences" if it fails to cooperate.

Zhang noted that both Hans Blix and Mohammed ElBaradei raised some questions in their formal report to the council. "There are questions to be answered and doubts to be cleared."

Chinese Foreign Minister Tan Jiaxuan said earlier last week that the submission of report by UN chief weapons inspectors only marks a new beginning of the inspection process, rather than a full stop when he was in Washington for the Security Council ministerial meeting on counter-terrorism.

(People's Daily January 28, 2003)