Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue made these remarks at a regular ministry press conference in Beijing Tuesday.

China made its clear-cut proposition immediately after the issue came to prominence last October, Zhang recalled.

It supported the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula for maintaining peace and stability of the peninsula, and peacefully resolving the issue through dialogue, Zhang said.

China had had extensive contacts with all countries concerned and gave the comprehensive enunciation of its stance on such occasions as international conventions, she said, adding that her country's position had won wide international support and endorsement.

The key of the DPRK nuclear issue was to guarantee the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula while heeding the security concerns of the DPRK, she said.

From an historical and practical perspective, Zhang noted, the 1994 DPRK-US Framework Accord remained the important basis for denuclearization and should continue to be safeguarded.

The DPRK nuclear issue was still amid the process of developing and changing, but the problem should resolved peacefully only through political means, Zhang stressed.

China had always promoted peace and dialogue and welcomed all efforts in that direction, she said.

She added that her country opposed any moves that could further escalate the situation.

"We are ready to continue efforts for peace and stability on the peninsula, achieving denuclearization, and contribute our share to a peaceful solution to" the DPRK nuclear issue, she said.

If all relevant parties make constructive efforts, the spokeswomen said, the DPRK nuclear issue could eventually be resolved peacefully.

(Xinhua News Agency February 12, 2003)