China pushes N Korea for resumption of six-party talks

Want China Times, Xinhua 2013-11-07

Wu Dawei at a press conference in Beijing. (Photo/CNS)

China's special representative for Korean peninsula affairs Wu Dawei left for a visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Monday to discuss the resumption of six-party talks, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.

Spokesman Hong Lei told a routine press briefing that Wu will have in-depth discussions with the North Korean government on restarting nuclear talks and the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

He said the situation on the peninsula has eased recently with engagement and dialogue replacing heated confrontation.

This has not come easily and should be cherished by all sides, the spokesman said, urging the relevant parties to further increase engagement and dialogue, and play a constructive role in easing tensions on the Korean peninsula.

All parties concerned should make a joint effort to resume the six-party talks, be reasonable in terms of concessions at the beginning of the dialogue and put a resolution of the conflict which is sustainable, irreversible and conducive to trust-building back on track, said the spokesperson.

He urged all sides to return to their positions as indicated in the Sept. 19 Joint Statement, signed in 2005, in which North Korea promised to abandon all its nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs.

The six-party talks, convening North and South Korea, China, the United States, Russia and Japan, have been in limbo since late 2008.