BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhuanet) -- China hopes for "effective and peaceful" reconstruction of Iraq at an early date, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao here Tuesday.

    Liu said the situation in Iraq had changed tremendously since the outbreak of the Iraq war. Political and economic reconstruction had improved, but the security situation was still a source for concern.

    He said China hoped Iraq would regain stability at an early date, and the Iraqi people could live peaceful and stable lives assoon as possible.