Talks on DPRK Nuclear Issue Ends in Beijing

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

Talks on DPRK Nuclear Issue Ends in Beijing

Delegations from the DPRK, the United States and China concluded the Beijing talks on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula Friday morning, said Chinese FM spokesman Liu Jianchao.

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The Beijing talks on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula concluded Friday morning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said.

Delegations from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United States and China worked to seek a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue during the talks, the spokesman said.

China's goal for the talks on the DPRK nuclear issue is very clear, that is to maintain peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, said the Foreign Ministry spokesman.

China will continue to work to this end, spokesman Liu Jianchao said while briefing the press on the three-day Beijing talks between China, the DPRK and the United States on the DPRK nuclear issue.

During the talks, which began Wednesday, Liu said China had all along stressed that the Korean Peninsula should be nuclear-free and that the nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully.

According to Liu, the three sides held two rounds of discussions, during which all sides expounded on their stances andviews on the nuclear issue, and expressed their aspirations and ideas for a peaceful settlement of the issue.

A closed-door session was held Thursday, during which in-depth discussions were held on issues each side was concerned about, Liu said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and Vice-Minister Wang Yi met and talked cordially with heads of the delegations. Li said the Beijing talks signifies a good beginning, and have received attention and welcome from the international community. He expressed the hope that the parties will continue to exert their efforts for a peaceful settlement of the issue.

Both the DPRK and the US sides voiced their endorsement with Li Zhaoxing, saying that during the talks, the parties have enunciated their stances, fully exchanged their views and thus enhanced mutual understanding.

The heads of the delegations clasped their hands together, signaling the conclusion of the talks.

The parties agreed that they would continue to maintain contact on procedures of further talks through diplomatic channels.

Prior to the end of the talks, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing had separate meetings with head of the US delegation, Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly, and head of the DPRK delegation, Ri Gun, deputy director of American affairs for DPRK's Foreign Ministry.

Acknowledging that the nuclear issue was very complex and sensitive, he cited human effort as a decisive factor. The top priority task at present was to insist on resolving the issue through peaceful talks by proceeding from the overall situation ofmaintaining peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and realizing non-nuclearization of the peninsula.

This was the sole choice that was beneficial to all parties concerned, Li added.

It was not strange to have differences in discussion of major issues, Li said. The crux of the matte was to pay attention to substantial content of the discussion rather than being confined to the form.

He urged the two parties to heed both the wordings and statements, and more importantly, to attach importance to the deeds of each other.

The ultimate goal was to serve the long-term interests of the people of the relevant countries, he said.

According to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao, both the DPRK and the US sides gave a high appraisal of China for its proposal for holding the Beijing talks and expressed their thanks to the country for its considerate arrangements for the talks.

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