Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Colin Powell on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization foreign ministers' meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Two exchanged ideas on Iraq and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

Li Zhaoxing said China is studying the US draft resolution on Iraq and will work with United Nations Security Council members to reach consensus on the issue. The Chinese foreign minister noted that a larger UN role in post war Iraq is vital to stabilizing the country and will facilitate reconstruction.

On the Korean nuclear issue, Powell said the six party talks last month were effective, and that United States is working towards setting up another round. Li Zhaoxing said China is willing to stay contact with all parties, and play a role in solving the issue peacefully.

(CCTV.com September 6, 2003)