Bypassing the UN Security Council, the United States and some other countries launched military operations against Iraq on March 20, 2003, which was of serious concern of the Chinese Government, the statement said.

It said that the Chinese Government had all along stood for a political settlement of the Iraq issue within the UN framework, urging the Iraqi Government to fully and earnestly implement the relevant Security Council resolutions and calling for respect for Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity by the international community.

The statement also said that the Security Council Resolution 1441 adopted unanimously on November 2002 was an important basis to politically settle the Iraq issue. It was the widely held view in the international community that the strict implementation of Resolution 1441 could deny Iraq weapons of mass destruction through peaceful means. The Chinese Government had worked tirelessly with various countries to this end.
The statement said that war would inevitably lead to humanitarian disasters and undermine the security, stability and development of the region and the world at large. People throughout the world detest war and want to see peace preserved. The Chinese Government has been always committed to peace and stability in the world. China stands for settlement of international disputes by political means and rejects the use of threat or force in dealing with international affairs. The Chinese Government strongly calls on the relevant countries to stop military actions and return to the right path of seeking a political solution to the Iraq issue.
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson expressed China's deep concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in Iraq. He said the Chinese Government has decided to provide humanitarian aids to Iraqi refugees, such as tents, and would continue to help alleviate sufferings of the Iraqi people to its power.