Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue on Friday answered reporters' questions concerning the Beijing visit of US Under Secretary of State John Bolton and Assistant Secretary James Kelly.

When asked to describe the visit, Zhang said that on Oct. 18, Bolton, US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, and Kelly, Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, visited China.

Zhang said during the visit, the two parties exchanged views on Sino-US relations and significant international and regional issues of common concern. She said the consultations were "constructive and beneficial".

"We believe it helps improve mutual understanding, strengthen cooperation and conforms to both sides' interests for China and the US to maintain close contact on significant issues," Zhang said.

When asked if Bolton was visiting to discuss the issue of nuclear weapon development by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), she confirmed it.

She said it was China's consistent stance to support the non-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula to safeguard its peace and stability.

"We hold that the nuclear issue in the DPRK should be solved through peaceful means, through dialogues and consultations," she added.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2002)