BEIJING - China needs to see whether conditions are ripe in considering recognition of the National Transitional Council(NTC) of Libya, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a press conference on Tuesday.

China's recognition of the NTC's position requires a process of "when water flows, a channel is formed," Jiang said.

"We place importance on the position and role of the NTC and are ready to maintain close communication with it in order to steadily advance relations between the two sides," she said.

She said the current turmoil in Libya is short term, but the friendship between China and Libya is eternal, and noted that communication between China and the NTC is "smooth and running."

She called for the international community to respect the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Libya.

Jiang said the United Nations should play a leading role in post-war reconstruction of Libya, and added that China is ready to work with the international community to ease in the situation of Libya and help its transition toward peace, reconciliation and reconstruction as soon as possible.

"It's imperative is to end armed conflict as soon as possible, avoid additional casualties and resolve the crisis through political means," Jiang said.

On the issue of reconstruction, she said relevant Chinese companies are making their own assessments.

She emphasized that China is ready to carry out trade and economic cooperation with Libya on a basis of mutual benefit and mutual respect.