China urges early resumption of six-party talks

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said on Thursday that all parties should join together to create conditions for an early resumption of the six-party talks on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula.

He made the comments at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on the meeting of Republic of Korea (ROK), U.S. and Japanese representatives on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Hong said under the current circumstances, all relevant parties should show wisdom, return to the track of dialogue and consultations as soon as possible and create conditions for an early resumption of the six-party talks.

At their Washington meeting Wednesday, ROK, U.S. and Japanese envoys said the Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK) has to demonstrate sincerity in denuclearizing itself before they are willing to go back to the negotiating table.

The DPRK has repeatedly expressed its willingness to reopen the six-party process "without preconditions".

Hong said advancing denuclearization and maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is in the interests of all relevant parties and the shared responsibility of them all.

He said the Chinese side is ready to advance the process of six-party talks, implement the Sept.19, 2005 joint declaration in a comprehensive and balanced way and make unremitting effort to realize long-term security on the peninsula.

The six-party talks involve China, Russia, the United States, the DPRK, the ROK and Japan.