Q: The US has decided to withdraw its draft resolution submitted to the Security Council on the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. What comment does China have on it?

A: China is not a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and has reservations on some provisions in the statute. But we support an independent, just, efficient and universal international criminal court, so as to punish grave international crimes.

We stand for the views expressed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, maintaining that it is inappropriate to pass the draft resolution submitted by the US at the Security Council on the jurisdiction of the international criminal court in the context of wide concern in the international community about the POW abuse incident in Iraq. It is hard for China to stand for it. The withdrawal of the resolution by the US is a wise move, which will be helpful to preserve the unity of the Security Council. We are ready to continue contact and consultation with all parties on the relevant issues.