China urges resumed Six-Party Talks

BEIJING - A senior Chinese diplomat on Wednesday called on all parties involved to make greater efforts for the resumption of Six-Party Talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesman said on Thursday.

Hong Lei told a routine press briefing that Wu Dawei, China's special representative for Korean Peninsula affairs, held talks with Glyn Davies, visiting US special representative for policy on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday.

The two diplomats had an in-depth exchange of views on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and resumption of the six-party talks, Hong said.

Wu urged greater efforts for denuclearization of the peninsula, maintaining peace and stability in the area as well as resolving related issues through dialogue and consultation so as to create conditions for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks, according to the spokesman.

Wu noted that his talks with Davies were held close to the 10th anniversary of the first round of the Six-Party Talks and the eighth anniversary of the September 19, 2005 joint statement, Hong said, adding that the two sides agreed to continue to maintain close communication on related issues.

The Six-Party Talks, which gather China, Russia, the United States, the DPRK, the Republic of Korea and Japan, have been stalled since late 2008.

Hong said the Chinese side noticed reports that the DPRK may have restarted a reactor at its Yongbyon nuclear complex.

The spokesman stressed that it is China's consistent position to achieve denuclearization on the peninsula and safeguard peace and stability of the peninsula and Northeast Asia.

It is also in line with all parties' common interests, he added.