China says 'hostage issue' will not affect talks

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, February 16, 2004

China says 'hostage issue' will not affect talks

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A senior Chinese diplomat has said the hostage issue between the DPRK and Japan will not affect the second round of multilateral talks aimed at resolving the nuclear standoff between Pyongyang and Washington. Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks upon arrival in Beijing after wrapping up his visit to Japan and South Korea.

China's chief negotiator to the six-party talks said his visit to Japan and South Korea has helped him better understand the two countries' positions. He explained that the trip will help host country China better prepare for the meeting, due to start in 10 days.

The Chinesev vice foreign minister said the upcoming meeting will be an opportunity for the parties to tackle the hard issues.

Wang Yi said, "I think the importance of the second round of talks will be that it will facilitate discussions on the detailed matters. The three-party talks and the first round of six-party talks gave the various parties an opportunity to explain their positions and deepen understanding. This new round of talks will touch on the substantive issues."

Wang Yi has just wrapped up his five-day visit to Japan and South Korea, the two parties that will be attending the talks along with the US, Russia, DPRK and host country China. He said the hostage issue between the DPRK and Japan should be resolved in a bilateral format so that it would not affect the nuclear talks.

The minister also called for more flexibility from all parties.

Wang Yi also said, "The host China calls for a constructive attitude from all sides. That is to say if one side is flexible, then the other sides should also demonstrate flexibility. Only in this way can we narrow differences, expand consensus and push forward the talks process."

In the latest diplomatic development, Pyongyang has offered to freeze all its nuclear activities as a first step to resolving the current standoff with Washington. In return, it demands that Washington provide free oil shipments, lift economic sanctions and remove the DPRK from its list of countries that sponsor terrorism.

Source: CCTV News

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