China hopes the international community can resolve issues concerning the Gulf War as soon as possible so that the Gulf region can achieve long-term peace and stability, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhu Bangzao said Thursday.
"China, as a permanent member of the security council of the United Nations, will make its efforts in this regard," he told a press conference in Beijing.
Zhu said China has advocated resolution of all international disputes through consultation and negotiation and has been opposed to using force or the threat of force.
The Gulf region and the international situation have changed greatly since the war broke out 10 years ago, Xinhua News Agency quoted him as saying. The issues left from the war, including removing sanctions on Iraq, have far from been settled.
Zhu stressed that the remaining issues involving the war should be justly settled by the UN Security Council.
Zhu also told the press conference that Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan's recent official visit to Turkey, Libya, Central Africa, Cameroon, Gabon and Angola was fruitful.
He said that the Chinese foreign minister held talks with foreign ministers and met with state leaders of the six countries during the visit, which lasted from January 6 to 17.
Tang discussed furthering bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common concern, Zhu said.
Tang also signed agreements with the six countries on bilateral cooperation, the spokesman said.
The governments of the six countries expressed their hope to enhance the exchange, consultation and friendly cooperation with China, the spokesman said.
They also reiterated that they would continue to stick to the one-China position and support China's reunification, according to the spokesman.
The African countries spoke highly of the achievements of the China-Africa Forum held in October last year and expressed their willingness to further deepen the friendship and cooperation between African countries and China under the new framework of the Forum, Zhu said.
(Eastday 01/19/2001)
