Chinese FM, U.S. secretary of state discuss six-party talks over phone

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice exchanged views on pushing forward the process of the six-party talks during a telephone call Tuesday, said an official of Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Li, who is accompanying Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on an official visit to South Korea, made the calls on the request of Rice, the official told Xinhua.

The sixth round of the six-party talks on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula recessed on March 22.

In the talks with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun earlier in the day, Wen said China is sticking to its position on a peaceful settlement to the nuclear issue through dialogue.

Continued progress will be achieved in promoting the process of the six-party talks so long as all relevant parties bear in mind the overall interest of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the region as a whole and by making unremitting efforts, Wen said.

China is ready to work together with South Korea and other parties concerned to strive to realize long-term peace and stability in Northeast Asia at an early date, he added.

Source: Xinhua