On March 19, 2004, Assistant Minister of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Li Hui met with Momčilović, Ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro to China. Momčilović updated the Chinese side on latest developments in recent large-scale clashes among Serbian and Albanian residents in the Kosovo region of Serbia and Montenegro, and expounded the position on the situation in Kosovo of the Serbian and Montenegrin government.

Li said China was shocked by the large-scale blood shed in Kosovo and urges the two sides of the conflicts to exercise restraint and refrain from escalation of the tensions. The Kosovo issue is very sensitive in that it has a bearing on the stability of the whole Balkan region. The parties involved should refrain from any action that may lead to retrogression of the peace process in the region.

Li also emphasized China has consistently upheld that both the letter and spirit of Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council should be honored, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia and Montenegro be respected, and equal rights of different ethnic groups in Kosovo be safeguarded. China holds that dialogue is the only channel for resolving the Kosovo issue and that parties involved should reopen the dialogue as early as possible to resolve the issue through patient negotiations. As a member of the UN Security Council, China will continue to make its due efforts to help identify an appropriate solution to the Kosovo issue.