China on Tuesday urged parties in the Korean nuclear talks to resume dialogue as chief envoy of Republic of Korea (ROK) visits Beijing.
"All parties should consider the big picture and resolve the issues through dialogue in an effort to resume the six-party talks at an early date," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told the regular briefing Tuesday.
Qin's comments came hours after ROK chief nuclear negotiator Wi Sung-Lac arrived in Beijing to discuss Korean Peninsular nuclear issues with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and chief negotiator Wu Dawei.
Launched in 2003, the six-party talks grouped China, DPRK, ROK, the United States, Russia and Japan. The talks have been stalled since the top negotiators last met in Beijing last December.
Qin said China resolutely opposed the nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), referring to the latest one on May 25.
"Under the current circumstances, we believe all parties should focus on seeking a Korean Peninsula without nuclear facilities and refrain from any actions worsening the situation," Qin said.
The spokesman urged the DPRK to honor its commitment to removing nuclear facilities from the peninsula and other parties to remain cool headed and restrained: "China will keep close communication with other parties, play its due role and make sustained efforts."
On the DPRK's latest move to sentence two US female journalists, Qin said," We hope the US and the DPRK can properly settle this issue."
(Xinhua News Agency June 10, 2009)
