China willing to send experts to Iraq for weapons inspections
( 2002-12-04 09:48 ) (9 )

China is willing to send experts to Iraq for the weapons inspections, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Thursday at a regular news conference in Beijing.

"As a requirement of the United Nations (UN), the Chinese side has indicated its willingness to send experts to Iraq for the weapons inspections," Liu said, adding that the two sides are negotiating on the specific arrangements.

China was pleased to see UN weapons inspectors successfully complete their first day of work at suspect sites in Iraq on Wednesday, Liu said.

"We hope that the UN weapons inspectors can continue to carry out their work effectively and smoothly. It is also our hope that the relevant parties will earnestly implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Iraq," Liu said.

Iraq has denied having any weapons of mass destruction and agreed to allow weapons inspectors back into the country after a four-year break.