China backs France, Germany, Russia on Iraq

Chinese President Jiang Zemin told French President Jacques Chirac by phone today that China supports the recent joint proposal…

Chinese President Jiang Zemin told French President Jacques Chirac by phone today that China supports the recent joint proposal by France, Germany and Russia that would extend UN weapons inspections in Iraq, state media said.

"The inspection in Iraq is effective and should be continued and strengthened so as to implement Resolution 1441," the official Xinhua news agency quoted Mr Jiang as saying.

"Warfare is good for no one, and it is our responsibility to take various measures to avoid war," Mr Jiang added.