China welcomes positive signals on restarting six-party talks

China is pleased to see positive signals emerge recently on resuming the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and "welcomes" such signals, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao in Beijing on June 21.

US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said Monday in Inchon, a northwest city of the Republic of Korea (ROK), that the United States hopes the six-party talks can restart in July. His country is ready to hold talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in a respectful atmosphere.

According to Chung Dong-young, the special envoy of ROK President Roh Moo-hyun and also South Korean Unification Minister, during his meeting with DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Il last Friday, Kim said "the DPRK is willing to return to six-party nuclear talks even in July, if the United States "recognizes and respects" Pyongyang.

Liu said China has been pushing for the early resumption of the six-party talks, and will continue to hold consultations with the related parties on relevant issues. "As for the details of the meeting, related parties should conduct efficient communications," he added.

"Although there are lots of problems, China will not give up its efforts to promote the resumption of six-party talks," the spokesman said.

He said China is committed to peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, aiming to realize denuclearization through peaceful talks.

China also hopes that the relevant parties will make concerted efforts, seize the present opportunities and show greater flexibility in a bid to promote the peaceful settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, he noted.

In order to end the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue peacefully, China, the DPRK, the United States, Russia, the ROK and Japan have convened three rounds of six-party nuclear talks in Beijing. However, the fourth round of the multilateral talks failed to be convened as the DPRK refused to attend the talks, citing hostile US policy.

Source: Xinhua