China Invites DPRK, US Delegations to Beijing for Talks: FM Spokesman

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, April 25, 2003

China Invites DPRK, US Delegations to Beijing for Talks: FM Spokesman

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China has invited delegations from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States to hold talks in Beijing to seek a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao Thursday at a regular press conference.

Liu called on all parties concerned to play "constructive roles'' in peacefully resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

"The nuclear question of the Korean Peninsula has a complicated background and requires a process and unremitting efforts from various parties to resolve it. We hope that parties concerned will continue to show sincerity and play constructive roles.''

He added that China remains willing to work with the international community to peacefully resolve the issue.

Since last October, the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula has been creating renewed tension in the region, which has aroused extensive concern in the international community, said Liu.

The Beijing talks got underway on Wednesday at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted the opening ceremony, said Liu.

Director Fu Ying of the Department of Asian Affairs of China's Foreign Ministry, Vice-Director Ri Gun of American Affairs of the DPRK's Foreign Ministry and US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly led their respective delegations, he said.

Wang Yi held a banquet to welcome the DPRK and US delegations during which the participants enunciated their respective positions on the current nuclear issue and the overall situation on the Korean Peninsula and expressed their related concerns, he said.

This was conducive to the enhancement of mutual understanding and to a peaceful resolution to the nuclear issue through dialogue, he said.

Due to the complicated historical context, the resolution of the outstanding nuclear questions on the Korean Peninsula is a process that requires persistent efforts from various parties, he said, expressing his hope that the parties concerned will continue to show sincerity and play constructive roles.

Together with the international community, China stands ready to continue its efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, he said.

A statement carried on the DPRK's official KCNA news agency Thursday said the key to the talks would be Washington's willingness to change what Pyongyang sees as a hostile policy towards it.

The KCNA report said the United States should renounce its "hostile'' intent before there could be discussions about dismantling the DPRK's suspected nuclear weapons programme and verification.

The talks in Beijing, the first of its kind after tension over the DPRK nuclear issue escalated last October, have attracted wide attention in the region.

Liu Thursday said that China appreciates the stance of the neighbouring countries to resolve the nuclear issue peacefully through dialogue and welcomes input from countries concerned about the matter for constructive roles.

However, he added that related issues should be dealt with by countries concerned.

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