Kong said China firmly advocates peaceful settlement of the Iraq issue through political and diplomatic means and within the framework of the United Nations.

China has always required Iraq to completely and strictly implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and fully cooperate with the UN in thoroughly inspecting and destroying weapons of mass destruction.

He said China always believes that to pursue a comprehensive solution to the Iraq issue, the sovereignty, territorial integrity and reasonable concerns of Iraq should be respected. The Security Council should consider suspending and finally lifting the 12-yearsanctions against Iraq according to Iraq's action in implementing relevant UN resolutions.

It was just based on the aforesaid considerations that China cast vote of approval on Resolution 1441 the UN Security Council had just adopted, the spokesman said.

Kong said China actively participated in all consultations on the draft resolution within the Security Council in a constructive attitude, and put forward its own opinions and suggestions.

"We would like to stress that the Security Council shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding international peace and security as endorsed by the UN Charters," the spokesman said.

The approval of the resolution at this moment is conducive to the political solution to the Iraq issue and will help maintain the authority of the Security Council. It will also help UN inspectors return to Iraq and carry out their mission smoothly, Kong said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2002)