China on Tuesday welcomed the signing of a new Iraq interim constitution by the country's governing council on Monday.  

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said, "China hopes the move will exert a positive influence on promoting the political construction process and resuming normal order in Iraq, and contribute to the early resuming the exercise of sovereignty by the Iraqi people."

The document is expected to take effect on July 1.

(Xinhua News Agency March 10, 2004)