(1) In May 2000 Ethiopia waged a full-scale military attack against Eritrea and achieved great success. In June Ethiopia and Eritrea signed the Accord on the Cessation of Hostilities. In December the two countries signed the Agreement on Comprehensive Peace, reaching consensus over ceasing fire, repatriating prisoners of war, and setting up boundary committee and compensatory committee to take charge of perambulating boundary and compensation. Thereby the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea gradually entered into the process of peaceful settlement. The situation in the disputed border area between two countries remained basically calm over the past one year. UN set up a temporary security zone in the area, and sent the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), which was composed of 4440 members, to supervise cease fire and restore the local order. Both Ethiopia and Eritrea have basically cooperated with UN peace-keeping action, and mutually repatriated some prisoners of war and civilians. Now two countries are negotiating on issues of boundary delimitation and compensation.

(2) Chinese Government?s position on the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Chinese Government has all along been taking a neutral and mediating position on the conflict, expressing wishes through various channels that the two countries should solve the conflict by peaceful means. China has played an active role in the process of supporting and promoting peaceful solution by UN Security Council. Chinese Government is pleased to see that positive development has been made in the peaceful solution process under the joint efforts of Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the international community. Chinese Government is ready to work with the international community and make positive efforts for the realization of durable peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea.