Li Zhaoxing Meets with British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett

On September 19, 2006, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with a number of foreign leaders and foreign ministers respectively during the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Li introduced the preparations for the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) to President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Prime Minister Navin Chandra Ramgoolam of the Republic of Mauritius respectively. The two leaders both expressed hope for a successful summit to promote the development of China-Africa relations and bilateral ties.

Li exchanged opinions with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem on Israel-Lebanon conflict and the Middle East issue. Li stressed that the current priority is to comprehensively implement the Security Council Resolution 1701 and complete the increase and deployment of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. He pointed out that as the core of the Middle East issue the Palestine-Israel conflict should be resolved through political talks on the basis of UN resolutions and the principle of "land for peace".

Li discussed the Sudanese issue and the Iranian nuclear issue with British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett. Li said that the current situation indicates it is pragmatic to prolong the term of the African Union Mission in Sudan and that the international community and Iran should make continuous efforts to show flexibility, create conditions for the resumption of talks and solve the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations.

Li exchanged views with Philippine Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo and Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri on bilateral ties and regional situation in Southeast Asia and South Asia.

On the same day, Li attended the working dinner of the foreign ministers of China, France, Russia, the U.K., the U.S., Germany and Italy and the representatives of the European Union. The officials discussed the Middle East issue and the Iranian nuclear issue.

On the morning of September 20, Li met with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier respectively.

Li and Mottaki agreed to continue to promote the long-term friendly and cooperative relations between China and Iran. Talking about the Iranian nuclear issue, Mottaki said that Iran is willing to continue to negotiate with related parties on the basis of their respect for and recognition of Iran's right to peaceful utilization of nuclear power and reach a complete settlement of the issue. Li noted that the recent dialogue between Iran and a number of European countries gave out some positive signals. China supports seeking a solution acceptable to all parties concerned through diplomatic talks and hopes that Iran shows flexibility on the suspension of uranium enrichment so as to resume the negotiations as soon as possible.

Li and Steinmeier expressed will to make joint efforts to implement the consensus reached by the heads of the two governments during their meeting not long ago on developing bilateral relations. Both sides agreed that continuous efforts be made to solve the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiations, the favorable conditions be used to resume the Middle East peace process as soon as possible and related parties show flexibility to resume the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue at the earliest date possible.