Tripartite Talks Aimed to Ease Tension: FM Spokesman

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, April 23, 2003

Tripartite Talks Aimed to Ease Tension: FM Spokesman

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao confirmed Tuesday that China had invited the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States to send delegations to Beijing to attend a tripartite talks on the DPRK nuclear issue.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao Tuesday confirmed that China has invited the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Beijing to discuss the DPRK nuclear issue.

"We hope the talks will help the parties to understand each other's positions more clearly and ease the current tension,'' said Liu at the regular briefing.

Liu said the Chinese delegation will be headed by Fu Ying, director of the Department of Asian Affairs under the Foreign Ministry.

James Kelly, assistant secretary of state for Asia and Pacific affairs, reportedly arrived in Beijing Tuesday for the nuclear talks in Beijing which are scheduled to start Wednesday. The DPRK delegation is believed to be headed by Li Gun, deputy director of US affairs at the DPRK Foreign Ministry.

The meeting will be the first of its kind after tension escalated last autumn on the Korean Peninsula over the DPRK's nuclear programme.

The situation appeared to improve after the DPRK agreed more than a week ago not to stick to any particular dialogue format for settlement of the nuclear issue if the United States drops its anti-DPRK policy.

Liu said China is very concerned about the issue and made great efforts to promote peace and encourage talks between the two countries.

China has all along insisted the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula be resolved peacefully through dialogue.

At last Thursday's briefing, Liu called for the "political will'' and "sincerity'' in enabling dialogues to take place to break the stalemate over the nuclear tension on the Korean Peninsula.

Liu Tuesday reiterated that China supports peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as its non-nuclearization, adding the security concerns of the DPRK should also be acted upon.

"All parties should create conditions for the peaceful resolution of the (DPRK nuclear) issue, and refrain from taking action that would complicate the situation,'' said Liu.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Tripartite Korea Talks to be Held Next Week in Beijing

China Consistent in Its Stance on DPRK Nuclear Issue: Premier

>> Full Coverage

China to Send Lunar-Probe Satellite in 3 Years: Expert ( 2 Messages)

Analysis: Germany Softening Anti-War Tone as It Enters UN Security Council ( 3 Messages)

Chinese Premier Pledges to Improve SARS Control ( 2 Messages)

China Launches First "Indigenous" Management Theory ( 9 Messages)

China Protects Safety of People from Overseas ( 3 Messages)