Mr. Chairman,

Your Excellencies,

It is a pleasure for me to attend this meeting as Special Envoy of the Chinese Government. I wish to thank the Egyptian Government for its constructive efforts and thoughtful arrangements.

Sharm el Sheikh is an oasis. It is known as "the city of peace". For travelers in the desert, their most delightful moment is to see an oasis. For the long-suffering people of Iraq, their strongest desire is to regain peace.

China wants to see that this meeting succeeds in sending a positive and clear signal to the Iraqi people and the international community. We hope that the follow-up of this meeting will be faithfully implemented to push for smooth progress in the reconstruction of Iraq.

Dear Colleagues,

Without stability and security, political process or economic reconstruction of Iraq is out of the question. Across the 440,000 square kilometers of Iraqi territory, flames of war and smoke of gunpowder are yet to fade away, with endless sound of gunshots and artillery. Such grave security situation of Iraq threatens world peace and security. The Iraqi people are paying a dear price.

China condemns all terrorist attacks and is deeply concerned about the civilian casualties caused by the conflicts. Restoring security in Iraq requires the concerted efforts of all parties concerned. Military means alone will not bring a solution. China agrees with Secretary General Kofi Annan that a comprehensive political solution is needed to address security concern. Improvement in security situation should go hand in hand with progress in the political process.

There used to be a serious division over the Iraqi war within the international community. However, it is not a "wound" that cannot be healed. We sincerely hope that all parties will continue to set store by broader interests, take a forward-looking attitude, work to bridge the division and expand common ground, cooperate in a realistic manner and pay special attention to solving the immediate difficulties now facing the people of Iraq.

Dear Colleagues,

The future of Iraq can only be determined by the Iraqi people. The independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq must be maintained. The basic human rights of the Iraqi people must be respected. We are pleased to see that the Iraqi Interim Government has been formed and is committed to national dialogue and reconciliation. The National Conference was held successfully and smoothly produced the Transitional National Assembly. This is a gratifying step in the political transition.

Iraq is now standing at a critical juncture with serious challenges as well as historic opportunities. Iraq belongs to all Iraqi people. Whether Arabs, Kurds or others, whether the Sunnis or the Shiites, they are all entitled to equal, full and comprehensive participation in the political process. All of them should set store by the national interests, achieve reconciliation through peaceful dialogue and work together in the rebuilding of homeland.

China expects the return to the international community of a stable and democratic Iraq. We welcome the announcement by the Iraqi Interim Government of holding elections in January next year. We hope the elections will be fair, democratic and transparent, and put in place a transitional government with broad representation and authority. This will open a new page in the history of Iraq. This will help make the Iraqi people more confident in their future. This will help make the international community more confident in Iraq as well. The Chinese government is ready to provide US$ 1 million worth of material assistance to Iraq for the upcoming elections.

Dear Colleagues,

China supports the resolution of the Iraq question within the UN framework. I am delighted to see Secretary General Annan and Ambassador Qazi with us today. The UN staff have been making tremendous efforts for Iraq. Some of them even sacrificed their lives. Their courage and spirit merit our respect and admiration.

China supports the UN in playing an important role in the reconstruction process of Iraq at the mandate of the Security Council, especially through help in election preparation, constitution formulation and national reconciliation. All parties should provide necessary political support and security guarantee in this regard. China hopes that the multinational force will play its due role and earnestly implement relevant provisions of the Security Council resolutions.

Iraq needs to live and develop together with its neighbors rather than staying on as a source of regional turmoil. I wish to congratulate the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Neighboring Countries of Iraq yesterday on its positive results. As an old Chinese saying goes, when brothers are united, their strength can remove the mountain. We support Iraq in strengthening cooperation with its neighbors in the political, security, economic, trade and other fields. By this way, they can live together in peace and harmony on the basis of mutual trust and coordination. The international community should heed the voice of the neighbors of Iraq and Arab nations, respect and accommodate their legitimate concerns and give full play to their positive role.

Dear Colleagues,

China has a time-honored friendship with Iraq. The Chinese people will always be the trustworthy friends of the Iraqi people. China will continue to help Iraq restore peace and achieve earlier development. We are earnestly fulfilling our promise of US$ 25 million worth of aid to Iraq. We will give positive consideration to relieving quite a significant portion of Iraq's debt to China. We are also willing to help train Iraqi diplomats and other professionals in economic management and energy development.

Dear Colleagues,

Iraq is one of the cradles of civilization. It is the birthplace of the world's oldest writing system, the cuneiform. It is the birthplace of the oldest code in writing, the Hammurabi's Code. It is also the birthplace of the tales of the Arabian Nights. Let us work together to help the great people of Iraq enjoy security, prosperity, democracy and dignity, and turn the most beautiful tale on people's mind into reality.

Thank you all.