China and France Discuss Libya
Forceful actions would not solve the Libyan crisis, said Chinese President Hu Jintao during a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Beijing on March 30.
"Dialogue and other peaceful means are the ultimate solutions to problems," Hu said.
China believes the UN Security Council's resolution on Libya aims to stop violence and protect civilians, he said. If military action harms civilians and causes a humanitarian crisis, it runs counter to the purpose of the resolution.
Hu said China supports political efforts to ease the tension in Libya. The country has called on parties involved in the conflict to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, seek peaceful solutions and avoid civilian casualties.
China believes the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of a country should be respected and is against the use of force in international affairs, he said.
Sarkozy said France hopes to resolve the Libyan crisis through political and diplomatic means. France was the first nation to launch attacks against Libyan government forces. It is one of the strongest backers of Libyan rebels.
The French president came to China to attend a seminar on the international monetary system on March 31 in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province.
France is willing to consult with China on the reform of the international monetary system, and is looking forward to Hu's attendance at the Group of 20 Summit in Cannes later this year, Sarkozy said.
China and France should continue to expand cooperation in areas such as trade, aviation and space technology, new energy and nuclear safety, Hu said. The two countries should also enhance two-way investment and cultural exchanges. |