China and the United States have agreed that the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) should be resolved through diplomatic efforts and dialogue, and the two sides will continue contact on the issue, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan in Beijing Thursday.

Kong said at a regular press conference that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi's current visit to the United States has helped increase mutual understanding between China and the United States.

Wang started his four-day visit to the United States on July 1,during which he exchanged views with the US side on the situation in Asia, particularly that in the Korean Peninsula.

According to the spokesman, Wang held meetings with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Lee Armitage, Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs John Robert Bolton, and Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Paul V. Kelly on July 1.

Kong said Wang reiterated China's stance on the DPRK nuclear issue to the US side, urging the maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, while keeping the peninsula free of nuclear weapons. Wang also said the DPRK's proper concerns over security should be addressed, according to Kong.

Wang said Beijing talks should continue and the two sides had discussions in this regard, according to Kong.

According to Kong, during Wang's visit, the US side expressed appreciation for China's efforts in promoting the talks in Beijing and also expressed willingness to keep the direction of a peaceful solution of the issue.

Kong said the DPRK nuclear issue involves the region and China welcomes the fact that all sides stand for settling the issue peacefully through diplomatic efforts and dialogue.

Kong said Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo is visiting Russia, and will exchange views on the DPRK nuclear issue with the Russian side.

This not only shows that China and Russia keep close consultation, contacts, cooperation and coordination on major international and regional issues, and but also that the two sides share a common stance on the DPRK nuclear issue, said Kong.

Kong said China's attitude towards the number of participants of the talks in Beijing is open and flexible and China believes the result of the talks is far more important than its forms.

Kong said China will certainly continue its efforts for the peaceful solution of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and also hopes to garner support from all relevant sides.

Under the current situation, China also hopes all sides will keep calm and show restraint and not take any action to make the situation worse, said Kong.

(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2003)