Hu Jintao urges political solution to Iraq issue within UN framework
( 2003-02-24 15:33 ) (8 )

Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao Monday urged a political solution to the Iraq issue within the framework of the United Nations.

Meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Colin Powell, Hu said the Iraq issue and the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are two hot spots concerning the international community at present.

Hu said China has always requested Iraq fully, strictly and earnestly implement the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council, and honor its words of possessing no weapons of mass destruction.

On the DPRK nuclear issue, Hu said China maintains that the Korean Peninsula should be free from nuclear weapons, and peace and stability there should be safeguarded.

Historical experience has shown that the DPRK nuclear issue can only be properly settled through dialogue and consultation, Hu said.

China hopes the United States and the DPRK will conduct direct dialogues as soon as possible, said Hu.

He said that China will work with the international community to continue making efforts for political solutions to the two issues.

Powell arrived in Beijing Sunday as guest of Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan.