China calls for halt to attack

China today accused the United States of “violating the norms of international behaviour” and called for military action to halt before a full scale attack on Iraq begins.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said the beginning of the attack on Iraq by the US-led military force took place “in disregard for the opposition of the international community”.

“We express regret and disappointment,” Kong said in Beijing. He added that China continues to maintain that “the Iraq question can be solved peacefully.”