China opposes `violation' of UN Charter
( 2003-03-21 08:16 ) (7 )

China's Foreign Ministry Thursday strongly appealed to "relevant countries'' to end military actions and return to the right path of seeking a political solution to the Iraq question.

The ministry statement, issued hours after attacks on Iraq began Thursday morning Beijing time, noted that the United States and some other countries have bypassed the United Nations (UN) Security Council and launched military operations against Iraq.

In the statement, the Chinese Government expresses its serious concern at developments in the Gulf.

The government has all along stood for a political settlement of the Iraq issue within the UN framework, urging the Iraqi Government to fully and earnestly implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and calling for respect for Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity by the international community, said the statement.

It added that the Security Council Resolution 1441 adopted unanimously last November is an important basis for a political settlement of the Iraq question. It is the widely-held view in the international community that strict implementation of Resolution 1441 can deny Iraq weapons of mass destruction through peaceful means. The Chinese Government has worked tirelessly with various countries to this end, said the statement.

"War will inevitably lead to humanitarian disasters and undermine the security, stability and development of the region and the world at large,'' said the statement, adding that people throughout the world detest war and want to see peace preserved.

"The Chinese Government is always committed to peace and stability in the world,'' said the statement. "We stand for settlement of international disputes by political means and reject the use or threat of force in international affairs.''

At yesterday's regular briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said the war on Iraq is "a violation of the UN Charter and the basic norms of international laws.''

Kong told the press that China will continue to make its contribution to maintaining world peace.

"We will join the majority of countries to take actions for the end of military actions and a return to the political resolution of the Iraqi issue,'' Kong said.

He also told the press that the safety of foreign citizens and embassies in China was guaranteed.

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to the safety of foreign citizens, embassies and organizations in China, said Kong.

He said that, in the current situation, departments concerned continue to tighten security at embassies of major countries, ensuring their safety.