Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and US Secretary of State Colin Powell had a phone conversation Monday night, exchanging views on the UN Security Council's new draft resolution on Iraq and the Taiwan issue.  

On the UN Security Council's new draft resolution on Iraq, Li said to adopt a new resolution that helps push forward the appropriate settlement of the Iraqi issue is a common aspiration of all UN Security Council members and the parties concerned.

Li said currently consensus among different parties is expanding and their positions are coming close.

China hopes the countries that proposed the resolution could continue to show flexibility and take into consideration the reasonable opinions from other sides so as to fully resume Iraq's sovereignty and realize its stability and security as soon as possible, Li said.

Powell thanked China for its important role in the Iraqi issue. He said the United States will continue to hold discussions with relevant parties on the new resolution.

On the Taiwan issue, Powell reiterated that the United States will adhere to the one-China policy and the principles of the three Sino-US joint communiqués.

Li also had a phone conversation with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan Monday night and the two sides exchanged views on the UN Security Council's new draft resolution on Iraq.

Li said the Chinese side holds that the Iraqi issue should be resolved within the framework of the United Nations and China supports the United Nations to play a key role.

On the new resolution, Li said China believes that the Iraqi people's will should be respected and opinions from different sides should be taken into consideration so as to reach a broad consensus.

Annan said he appreciates China's stance on the Iraqi issue and he hopes China will continue to play a constructive role in the UN Security Council.

(Xinhua News Agency June 8, 2004)