China on Tuesday hailed the shutting down of the Yongbyon
nuclear plant in North Korea. Meanwhile, chief negotiators from
United States, Russia, Japan, South Korea and North Korea
congregated on Beijing ahead of a two-day sitting of the six-party talks aiming to denuclearize the
Korean Peninsula, due to start on Wednesday.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao expressed China's hopes
that concerted efforts will be made on all sides to see commitments
fully carried out and thus reach an early implementation of the
joint document issued last February 13.
"We've got a lot of work to do, and we've got a lot of
catching-up to do," US Chief Negotiator to the six-party talks
Christopher Hill said upon arrival at the airport.
He revealed he would meet with the North Korean delegation later
Tuesday, and probably hold similar meetings with the Russian and
Japanese envoys ahead of the talks.
During the meeting, the chief delegates are set to explore the
next set of steps to be performed on the road towards
denuclearization.
The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
confirmed on Monday that North Korea had shut down its Yongbyon
nuclear reactor, a key goal succeeding in denuclearizing the Korean
Peninsula.
Under the Feb 13 agreement, North Korea pledged to shut down the
Yongbyon reactor within 60 days after receiving 50,000 tons of
heavy fuel oil or equivalent aid.
The six sides are also planning to host a meeting of foreign
ministers after the initial steps have been implemented, according
to the agreement.
(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2007)
