Kong's comment, made during a regular briefing, came in the wake of Monday's missile test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) into the sea off its coast. This was the second missile test carried out by the DPRK since February 24.

Tension between the DPRK and the United States over the DPRK's nuclear program, has escalated rapidly since late last year and a flurry of diplomatic visits and talks have taken place aimed at finding a solution to the crisis.

Kong said that China was open to all ideas which may achieve a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, ensure peace and stability on the Peninsula and a practical settlement between the parties concerned.

Turning to the Iraqi issue, Kong reaffirmed China's opposition to a new United Nations resolution, particularly one which authorized military action.

Stressing the importance of implementing the UN Security Resolution 1441, he again called for the resolution of the Iraqi issue by political and diplomatic means under a UN framework.

When asked to comment on the US's growing influence in Central Asia, Kong said that China hopes that all parties will work together for peace and stability in the area.

Kong said peace in Central Asia was of concern to all countries in the region and China had noted that the US had stated several times that it had no intention of stationing its armed forces there for a long period of time.

In a related development, the spokesman Tuesday also commented on the establishment of an economic and trade office in Taiwan by the European Commission.

China hopes that the European Commission will abide by the "one-China'' principle in practice, said Kong.

He said China expects the European Commission to strictly adhere to its previously stated undertaking that the office would not engage in any political and diplomatic activities, and would not develop any form of official relations with Taiwan.

(China Daily March 12, 2003)