China Outlines Position on Korean Nuclear Issue

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, August 27, 2003

China Outlines Position on Korean Nuclear Issue

Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister WangYi said Tuesday that China maintains that the Korean Peninsula should be nuclear-free, and meanwhile the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s security concern should also be solved.

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China maintains that the Korean Peninsula should be nuclear-free and that the security concerns of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) should also be addressed, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Tuesday on the eve of the opening of the Beijing six-party talks on the peninsula.

The three-day talks are due to start today at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, involving China, the DPRK, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States.

Wang, who will head a Chinese delegation to the six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue, due to begin Wednesday, made the remark in an interview with five major Chinese media organizations when answering questions concerning the upcoming six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue.

He noted that only through dialogue and talks can the peninsula's peace and stability be safeguarded.

Last October when the Korean nuclear tension intensified again, then Chinese President Jiang Zemin, while meeting with US President George W. Bush at the Crawford Ranch, Texas, clearly stated China's stance of peacefully resolving the issue, Wang said, adding the stance represents China's consistent position, serves the fundamental interests of all parties, and has been welcomed by the international community and become the common consensus for resolving the issue at present.

DPRK made resolute decision

DPRK has made important and resolute decisions for the realization of the six-party talks in Beijing, said the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister. "The United States and other parties concerned also tabled important proposals" for the talks.

"We disagree with such actions as making sanction or inserting pressure (on the Korean nuclear issue), and even oppose to war," he stressed.

During the interview, a Chinese reporter asked Wang that the three-party talks in April and the upcoming six-party talks were hard earned results. Lots of people felt that the Chinese government made much endeavor while talking less. He asked Wang to brief the diplomatic efforts made by the Chinese government in the past months.

According to Wang, the root of the Korean nuclear issue derives from the remaining shadow of then Cold War. After the problem became protruding, the main views and proposition between the DPRK and the US became confrontational, leading to the escalation of situation on the Korean peninsula, he said.

All surrounding countries, including China, feel worry about the situation, he said. "We sincerely hope the nuclear issue can be resolved peacefully. And DPRK and US also showed willingness to hold peace talks," he said.

Chinese leaders and government, thus far, made unremitting efforts to promote the peace talks, he said.

The focus of the talks is "by what way and about what contents," Wang said, adding that China holds "open and flexible" attitude for the talks.

"We pay high heed to listening to the opinions of all sides, in particular the DPRK and the US, and try to seek common points and draw rational parts from all sides," he said.

"The format of the talks is important but the contents are even more important," he said.

The talks should be "the equal dialogue with substantial contents and a channel to find solution to the issue," he added.

According to Wang, China has carried out several rounds of diplomatic mediation after last March. The China-DPRK-US three-party talks were first realized, making the first step towards the peaceful solution to the nuclear issue through dialogue, he said.

The Chinese government recently sent envoys to shuttle among countries concerned for proceeding the peace talks process, he said. The Chinese side supports and welcomes all efforts conducive to promoting dialogue and pushing forward peace talks.

China hopes six-party talks to yield peace

He said China hopes all parties will take into consideration the general situation of safeguarding peace and stability of the Korean peninsula, show sincerity to solve the issue, adopt a calm and patient attitude, respect each other, conduct consultations on an equal footing, seek common grounds, and reduce disputes, so as to ensure the talks to continue and yield peace.

He said the nuclear issue is very complicated and acute, and it is impossible to solve all problems through one or two discussions. Moreover, other issues may arise during negotiations.

However, Wang said, it all depends on people's efforts, and China, as the host country, will provide every facility for the progress of the six-party talks which have shown the will of all parties to settle disputes through peaceful means and dialogue and the spirit of seeking reconciliation and cooperation.

The get-together of six parties itself has given out positive information, added Wang, stressing that this is another important step for a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue after the Beijing tripartite talks held in April this year.

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