The two leaders exchanged views on Iraq.

Chirac informed Jiang of France's opinions on the UN Security Council's meeting on Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction, maintaining that, with all perspectives considered, Resolution 1441 should be adhered to and weapons inspections strengthened, instead of taking actions which lead to a war.

Jiang said the Security Council's meeting on Wednesday discussed relevant issues concerning Iraq, which had an obligation to give further explanations and clarifications. He said the two UN weapons inspection organizations were working under clear authorization of the Security Council, and "we should support them in the continuation of their job."

Jiang also spoke on the telephone with US President George W. Bush on Friday evening.

China holds that support should be given to the two UN organizations to strengthen weapons inspections in Iraq, Jiang said.

He said it is the common aspiration of the international community to safeguard the Security Council's authority when dealing with significant matters such as the Iraq issue.

During the call Bush informed Jiang of the United States' stance and views on the Iraq issue and the nuclear issue in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Jiang reiterated the Chinese Government's view and stance on the Iraq issue, pointing out that the Iraqi side should cooperate more actively of its own initiative with the United Nations and possess no weapons of mass destruction.

Concerning the DPRK nuclear issue, Jiang said a nuclear-free, peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula was the consensus of the international community. He said he hoped all parties would make joint efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the DPRK nuclear issue.

(China Daily February 8, 2003)