Fan's society, a self-managed students' body based in the Beijing Second Foreign Language Institute, has closely watched and discussed the possible war threatened by the United States.

"I'm afraid the United States will trigger a war against Iraq soon after the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) submits its report to the UN Security Council on Monday," Fan said at a discussion forum.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell warned Monday that the time for the peaceful disarmament of Iraq was fast coming to an end, accusing Baghdad of defying the world with its weapons of mass destruction.

"Weapons of mass destruction just pose an excuse for the United States to overthrow President Saddam Hussein's regime," Fan said.

Yang Yu, also member of the society, seemed more optimistic. He said the inspection term could be extended due to the reactions of major powers, especially France and Germany.

Such discussions are common in every corner of China's universities, even though Iraq is thousands of miles away.

"Could the United States reduce casualties to the lowest possible level if a war starts? If not, could they keep fighting to the end?" asked Zhang Ming, an undergraduate in Xi'an University of Electronic Science and Technology.

Fudan University student Xie Weiyi was more concerned about the economic consequences. He said, "The Gulf War and ten years of sanctions have pulled Iraq's economy back to the level of 20 years ago. It is doomed to disintegrate in the next war."

Foreign Affairs College postgraduate in American studies Shang Cong holds that war is meant to test unilateralism the United States has been practicing.

Reviewing recent wars in the Gulf, Kosovo and Afghanistan, which all involved the United States, Shang said the possible Iraqi war had not yet gained approval from its traditional allies, except Britain.

"The United States has alleged it could provide evidence to prove Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. Does this mean the United States could launch wars against any country at any time with its own excuses?" Shang worried.

"Our attitude to the issue is as important as the crisis itself," said Zhang Ran, a student at Peking University, one of China's top universities.

Zhang spent about an hour every day surfing the Internet for the latest news.

"Our concern about world affairs overshadows our self-concern, "Zhang said, waving a newspaper carrying reports on the Iraq issue.

Chang Lu, a female schoolmate of Zhang, said, "War should forever be the last choice. You can never live twice."

Chang recalled a photo published on the Beijing Youth newspaper, which highlighted a little Iraqi boy with frightened eyes on his dirty face and a finger in his mouth.

"If a war breaks out, then how many children like this will be in Iraq?" Chang asked.

(Xinhua News Agency January 29, 2003)