Six-party talks to hopefully open in December

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 12, 2003

Six-party talks to hopefully open in December

The second round of the six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue will hopefully be held in December, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Tuesday.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

China said Tuesday it hopes a second round of six-party talks on the nuclear stand-off on the Korean Peninsula could be held before the end of the year.

Foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told reporters at a regular briefing that China wants to see the talks take place "as early as possible."

"If all sides make active efforts and if the differences between the sides can be narrowed effectively, we are positive there is a hope of seeing the next round of six-party talks this year."

Liu said Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi's trip to Washington last week was "beneficial and constructive." The two countries had reached consensus on a peaceful settlement of the nuclear crisis and putting forward a fresh round of six-party talks, he said.

They agreed to maintain contact and hoped all those involved would contribute to an early start of the talks, said Liu.

The spokesman also said another Vice-Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo was in the Republic of Korea and the two countries had agreed the nuclear issue should be solved through dialogue.

Dai is scheduled to fly to Tokyo today to continue consultations on the nuclear stand-off with Japanese officials.

When talking about a mistaken attack by Burundi rebels on the Chinese Embassy there on Monday, the spokesman said the Chinese Government had urged Burundi to guarantee the safety of the Chinese Embassy and its personnel.

The accident happened when the anti-government rebels, the National Liberation Forces, were firing on the presidential palace in the capital Bujumbura.

The blast left a 80-centimetre hole in the embassy's ceiling.

There were no casualties at the Chinese Embassy, an embassy official surnamed Xu told China Daily yesterday, adding that all embassy staff have resumed work.

After the bombing, Brundi's Defence Minister Vincent Niyungeko and Foreign Ministry officials inspected the scene and expressed regret, according to the official.

The bombing also hit a US military attache, leaving two US officials injured, Xu said.

In other developments, the spokesman confirmed yesterday that the Chinese and Indian navies would hold joint exercises on Friday at sea near Shanghai, conducting maritime search and rescue operations.

Liu said the Sino-Indian joint military exercises would enhance understanding between the two navies and reflected the friendly relations between the countries.

"China will keep on trying to maintain, strengthen and improve its relationship with India and Pakistan, which will benefit peace and stability in South Asia," said Liu.

Questions?Comments? Click here

China sows seeds for diplomatic 'harvest' in Korea

China, US closer to new round of six-party talks

China, DPRK agree to continue six-party talks on Korean nuclear issue

Is English invading Chinese culture? ( 20 Messages)

Chinese fleet visit heart of US forces in the Pacific ( 15 Messages)

Global survey: Chinese women sexiest ( 56 Messages)

Economist: China has no need to worry about possible trade deficits ( 3 Messages)

Japanese students, teacher make apology in Xi'an ( 17 Messages)

China expects to see trade deficit in near future: official ( 9 Messages)