On the evening of September 29, 2003, President Hu Jintao had a phone conversation with French President Jacques Chirac upon request.

Chirac briefed Hu on his experience in the 58th session of the UN General Assembly as well as his views on the current Iraqi situation. He said Iraq is in a state of turbulence and turmoil and the problems should be settled through political means. He went on to say that the sovereignty of Iraq should be transferred to the Iraqi people gradually, and the United Nations should play a key role in that process.

Hu said the Chinese government maintains that the security and stability of Iraq should be resumed as early as possible and the administration of Iraq by the Iraqi people should be materialized. He also said the United Nations should play a role in the reconstruction of Iraq and China supports a new resolution on Iraq by the UN Security Council acceptable to all parties concerned, adding that such a resolution will be conducive in pushing forward the process of reconstruction.

The two presidents said they are satisfied with the sound development of bilateral ties, noting that they will continue to make joint efforts to promote the progress of the comprehensive partnership between the two nations to a new height.