China urges return of six-party talks

China's Foreign Ministry has called for all parties to create the right atmosphere to restart the six-party talks.

The six-party talks between China, Russia, the United States, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan, have been stalled since late 2008.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei was responding to a suggestion that the United States and the ROK will sign a treaty next month on a joint response to any nuclear threat from the DPRK.

Hong said in the current situation, all parties should do more to relax tension, jointly create favorable conditions to restart the discussion and seek resolution within the six-party framework.

Hong said China had always advocated denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, to maintaining peace and stability there and to resolve issues through dialogue and consultation.