"Make love, not war" is the resounding sentiment of many Chinese people as a looming war in Iraq sparks public debate in the world's most populous nation.
A newspaper retailer near the Xuanwumen subway station in Beijing has done good sales of late thanks to the heated Iraqi issue.
"Most people hope the United States will not attack Iraq, for those who will really suffer are common Iraqis if war breaks out," he was quoted on Thursday in an article with the Beijing Youth Daily.
According to the article, many Iraqis recently viewed photos of war victims in the remains of a bomb shelter. The shelter was bombed by the United States during the Gulf War on February 13, 1991 and 408 people were killed, mostly women and children.
A daily patron of the newspaper seller, Xu Shuyu, who is a retired teacher living nearby, is deeply worried about the situation in Iraq.
"Both sides suffer when war starts," he said.
Han Jiliang, an experienced Chinese trader who has also closely followed the issue, said: "Several NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) countries have clearly expressed opposing a military attack against Iraq, which proves that most countries in the world long for peace and stability."
Some Chinese people complain the issue is having an impact on China.
A man, who only gave his name as Shao, said he had to pay more money for his recent Spring Festival journey because of a hike in petrol prices.
In Guangdong's capital city Guangzhou, the price of liquefied petroleum gas surged from 38 yuan (US$4.6) per bottle, the bottom price in 2002, to 78 yuan (US$9.4) at the end of 2002.
(China Daily February 17, 2003)
