Tang, who arrived here on Monday for Wednesday's UN Security Council meeting on Iraq, said China has attached great importance to the Iraq issue and believed the Security Council should play a major role.

"We have always held the view that Iraq should comply with relevant resolutions of the council in a strict, comprehensive and

practical manner, and that the international community should seek

by every means a political solution of the issue," he added.

He called on the international community to make greater efforts to help the United Nations proceed with its weapons inspections, and urged the Iraqi side to better cooperate with the

UN inspectors to clarify outstanding questions.

Tang also offered the condolences of the Chinese government over the deaths of the seven astronauts on board the space shuttle

Columbia and conveyed sympathy to their families.

Powell praised the great importance China attached to and its constructive role in the Iraq issue, citing Tang and his delegation coming to the Security Council meeting during the Chinese lunar New Year.

He briefed Tang on the US stance on Iraq and expressed the hope

that the two sides would maintain close contact on the issue.

Also on Tuesday, Tang told Secretary-General Annan that China stood for a continuation of weapons inspections and a political settlement of the Iraq issue. Annan expressed appreciation of China's stand and said it conformed with the goals of the United Nations.

Powell is to present to the Security Council on Wednesday evidence of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction in a bid to convince the international community of the need for military action.

(People’s Daily February 5, 2003)