China appreciates that the DPRK will consider a written security assurance from the United States, calling it a "positive gesture."

Zhang Qiyue, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman made the remark in Beijing Sunday when asked for comments on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) willingness, with some preconditions, to consider the US suggestion to offer a written security assurance to the DPRK.

China appreciates the "positive gesture" of the DPRK, Zhang said.

China hopes that all parties concerned will further show their sincerity, narrow their differences and create the necessary conditions to continue the dialogue progress and seek a political solution for their concerns, Zhang noted.

China will continue to contribute its own effort to that, Zhang said.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted the DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying that the DPRK was ready to consider Bush's remarks on the written assurances of non-aggression if they are based on the intention to co-exist with the DPRK and aimed at playing a positive role in realizing the proposal for a package solution on the principle of simultaneous actions.

US President Bush said on Oct. 20 in Bangkok, the venue for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, that progress was being made on peacefully solving the nuclear standoff with the DPRK by offering Pyongyang a written security guarantee in exchange for a commitment to scrap its nuclear weapons program.

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2003)