Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=03/17/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CHINA FOREIGN MINISTER (L-O)

NUMBER=2-300779

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: China has appointed a new foreign minister, but says its policy on the Iraq crisis will stay the same. V-O-A's Jim Randle reports from Beijing, where China's new top diplomat has a reputation for tough talk.

TEXT: Shortly after being named to head China's diplomatic corps on Monday, Li Zhaoxing (PRONO: lee Zhao-shing) said "keep your fingers crossed for peace."

He then urged a peaceful solution to the Iraq dispute through the United Nations.

/// LI ACT IN CHINESE, ESTABLISH AND FADE ///

Mr. Li says Chinese people. support using the framework of the United Nations to get a political solution to the Iraq problem.

It is a restatement of China's long-held position on the Iraq issue. China's views on Iraq are important because Beijing has the right to veto actions by the Security Council.

/// CHINESE ANNOUNCER RE: NEW FOREIGN MINISTER, EST. AND FADE ///

Mr. Li's appointment was announced at the National People's Congress in Beijing.

Mr. Li won a reputation as a blunt, forceful advocate for his country when he was China's ambassador to the United States.

He has often lectured Washington not to interfere with Taiwan, which China considers to be part of

its territory. He condemned U-S conduct when NATO planes accidentally bombed China's embassy in Belgrade, calling the incident "an atrocity."

/// OPT /// News reports say his un-diplomatic directness caused concern in the state department when Washington learned he was appointed the new foreign minister, but his perceived toughness apparently plays well in China. /// END OPT ///

U-S businesses represented by the American Chamber of Commerce in China welcomed Mr. Li's expertise on relations with the United States. Mike Furst is the chamber's executive director.

/// FURST ACT ///

He certainly knows American concerns well, having spent a number of years in Washington, so this is a positive thing.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Li replaces Tang Jiaxuan, who has been promoted to vice premier. Mr. Tang has been China's foreign minister since 1998 and oversaw his nation's growing involvement in foreign affairs. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/JR/MH/RAE