Speaking at the conference in Texas A & M University, sponsored by former US president George Bush, Xiong said the establishment of the Iraqi Governing Council and the interim government in post-war Iraq is a significant step towards "the Iraqis governing Iraq. "

The unanimous adoption of UN Secuirty Council resolution 1511 and the convening of the UN-sponsored international donors' conference in Madrid, Spain, have laid a good foundation for the all-round unfolding of Iraq's reconstruction, he said.

"We hope that the international community will, in the spirit of seeking common ground while reserving differences, broadening consensus, coordination and cooperation, make joint efforts to help the Iraqi people get on the road to peace, stability and development," Xiong said.

On security in Northeast Asia, the general said China's essential starting point in addressing the Korean nuclear issue is to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and that China's basic proposition is that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) should give up its nuclear program while its reasonable security concerns should be addressed at the same time.

With the joint efforts of China and other relevant parties, the tri-party talks in April and the six-party talks in August, both held in Beijing to address the Korean nuclear issue, have opened the door to a negotiated settlement, Xiong said.

The tri-party talks involved China, the United States and the DPRK. The six-party talks were held among China, the United States, the DPRK, Russia, South Korea and Japan.

"China sincerely hopes that the parties concerned will exercise restraint, refrain from taking any unilateral action that may further escalate tension, and continue to work within the framework of the 'Beijing six-party talks' to explore ways to a peaceful, comprehensive and fair solution to the Korean nuclear issue," Xiong said.

On the Middle East, he said China is deeply concerned about the recent escalation of tension between Israelis and Palestinians.

"We believe that 'violence for violence' is not conducive to the resolution of the issue and 'land for peace' through negotiations is the only effective way to settle the conflict," Xiong said.

He noted that China supports the relevant principles laid out in the Middle East "Roadmap for peace," and that both Israelis and Palestinians should stop acts of violence immediately and create conditions for the resumption of talks.

On security in South Asia, Xiong said Pakistan is a friendly neighbor of China, and that China's ties with India have improved and developed significantly in recent years. As a close neighbor of South Asia, China does not hope to see a war break out between India and Pakistan, he said.

China maintains that disputes between the two countries should be settled peacefully through negotiations, Xiong said.

(People's Daily November 7, 2003)