On the afternoon of January 28, 2002, Premier Zhu Rongji met with visiting Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz, during which he said China is willing to continue its efforts towards an early solution to the Iraqi issue.

Zhu noted that both being Asian countries, China and Iraq have enjoyed long-running friendship. He spoke highly of the smooth development of bilateral friendly relations and cooperation since the two countries resumed their diplomatic relations in 1958, noting that the strengthening of traditional friendship and deepening cooperation between the two countries are the common aspiration for both nations.

Zhu elaborated on China's principled stance on the Iraqi issue. He said that China has been advocating that the remaining issues of the Gulf War, including sanctions against Iraq, should be settled fairly and justly at an early date on the basis of the related resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. He said China maintains that Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected by the international community, adding that China hopes Iraq will strengthen its cooperation with the United Nations and endeavor to improve its relations with neighboring countries to create conditions for an early lifting of sanctions against it. He said that China is willing to continue its efforts towards an early solution to the Iraqi issue.

On the anti-terrorism issue, Zhu said that China opposes terrorism of all forms, and holds that there should be no double standards in combating terrorism and targets must not be wantonly extended.

Conveying the greetings from Iraqi leaders, Aziz said that he fully agrees with Zhu's comments on bilateral relations. He said that bilateral relations have enjoyed a long history, adding that Iraq attaches great importance to the role of China in international affairs and Iraq has been committed to friendly relations and cooperation with China. He also introduced efforts Iraq has made to have its sanctions lifted and the latest developments of the Iraqi issue. He spoke highly of China's principled stance on the Iraqi issue, and expects that China will make new efforts in bringing an early solution to the Iraqi issue.