China, India stress rejection to striking Iraq

China has stressed its rejection to the use of the military force against Iraq and warned that an act as such will increase tension and instability in the Middle East region.

In statements issued on Wednesday by the China Daily issued in Beijing, the Chinese foreign minister Tang Jiaxuan said that the principle of threat and the use of force is in vain regarding the settling the Iraqi question, stressing the need of honoring Iraq's sovereignty and independence and its territorial integrity.

Tang expressed his country's hope that the sanctions imposed on Iraq since 1990 will be lifted very soon, noting that Beijing intends to play a positive role in finding out a diplomatic settlement for the current crisis.

For its part, India has also stressed that it strongly opposes any military move against Iraq, noting that it is not accepted to use the principle of force against any country.

The Indian foreign minister told journalists that New Delhi's position is very clear in not approving to military action against any country, especially for the objective of changing its regime.

Meantime, an official at the Indian foreign ministry said on Wednesday that India's position concerning Iraq has not changed and will not be changed in the near future.