China wants active role in Libyan reconstruction

BEIJING — China is ready to play an active role in Libya’s reconstruction, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday as Libyan opposition fighters seeking to oust leader Moammar Gadhafi poured into Tripoli.

Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in a statement on the ministry’s website that China had noted “recent changes in the situation in Libya” and that Beijing respects the choice of the Libyan people.

Ma’s statement made no mention of Gadhafi or the rebels fighting him but said Beijing was ready to work with the international community on rebuilding Libya.

“The Chinese side respects the choice of the Libyan people and hopes the situation in Libya can return to normal as soon as possible,” Ma said. “China is willing to work together with the international community and to play an active role in the future reconstruction of Libya.”

After fighting erupted in Libya in February, China evacuated 35,000 of its citizens working there. Estimates of China’s investments in Libya before the conflict began run as high as $18 billion.