Late night on March 18, 2003, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held phone talks respectively with his French and Brazilian counterparts Dominique de Villepin and Celso Amorim by request, in which they discussed bilateral relations and the Iraq issue.

De Villepin said that the political partnership between France and China has priority in France's external relations and that France values the frequent exchange of views with China on major international issues. France still insists on seeking a political solution to the Iraq issue and does not endorse any action bypassing the United Nations.

Li said the comprehensive partnership between China and France is developing in a profound way and the leaders of the two countries have kept close contact. Since the beginning of the year, Presdent Jiang Zemin and President Chirac exchanged views on the Iraq issue over phone for several times. Just a few hours ago, President Hu Jintao again held phone conversations with President Chirac. Contact between the two foreign ministries is also constant. Li told his French counterpart that the Chinese side is willing to further enhance cooperation with France in various aspects.

Amorim said that the Brazilian President and government are enthusiastic in developing relations with China. Brazil highly values the effective cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade, economy, science, technology and culture. Brazil hopes to further increase political consultations with China on international issues. Amorim said that Brazil hopes the Iraq issue can be settled within the framework of Security Council Resolution 1441.

Li told his Brazilian counterpart that the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing strategic partnership with Brazil. China and Brazil are both major developing countries. Under the current complicated international circumstances, keeping close consultations and cooperation between the two countries will help maintain global peace, push forward multipolirazation of the world and safeguard the interest of developing countries.

When discussing the Iraq issue with the two Foreign Ministers, Li said that the Chinese government has, as always, stood for solving the Iraq issue within the UN framework and by political means, and has made concrete efforts in this regard. China believes achievements have been made in implementing the UN Security Council Resolution 1441. China is deeply worried about the current critical situation on the Iraq issue and regrets the forced halt of UN weapons inspections in Iraq. China is willing to continue to make the utmost effort together with the international community to avert war and solve the Iraq issue by political means.