Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing has called for time and patience to resolve the North Korea nuclear crisis peacefully, saying failure to reach agreement could result in disaster for the world.

Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly (L) shakes hands with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi prior to an earlier round of talks. [Reuters]

"To peacefully resolve the Korean nuclear problem, first all the relevant parties must sit down and continue peace talks," Li was quoted as saying in remarks posted on the ministry's Web site at www.fmprc.gov.cn Tuesday.

"This is the only correct choice," Li said in an interview he gave the German magazine "Der Spiegel" last week.

The difficult process would need time, patience and wisdom, Li said, adding that "upheaval on the peninsula would be a disaster for the region and world, with unimaginable consequences."

The crisis began in October 2002 when Washington said North Korea had admitted pursuing a covert nuclear weapons program in violation of earlier accords.

China hosted an inconclusive round of talks with the United States, North and South Korea, Japan and Russia in August, and a second round is expected to be held later this month, though the dates have not been fixed.

Monday, a German government source said Chinese President Hu Jintao, who had just met German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, was optimistic a peaceful solution could be reached through talks.

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