Hill to hold discussions with senior diplomats on six-party talks

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill is in Beijing and will meet with Chinese senior diplomats for discussions on six-party talks.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks at a regular press conference Tuesday afternoon. He said the two sides will also discuss China-U.S. relations and other issues of common concern.

Hill will meet with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, and assistant foreign ministers Cui Tiankai and He Yafei respectively during his stay in Beijing, Qin said.

Qin urged all related parties to the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue to create favorable conditions for an early resumption of the talks.

He said China hopes all related parties will keep restraint and calm and take a constructive attitude under the current difficult situation.

The six-party talks, involving China, the Democratic Republic of Korea(DPRK), the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, remained stalled since the last round of meeting was held in Beijing last November.

The last round of talks ended up with a Chairman's Statement, in which the parties concerned agreed to resume the talks as soon as possible.

"China still considers the six-part talks an effective mechanism for resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue," said Qin, adding China will keep close contacts and cooperation with other parties and strive for the early resumption of the talks and the final goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

Qin noted that China insists on realizing the goal through dialogue and consultation in a peaceful manner and does not support sanction because sanction may lead to the opposite result.

Source: Xinhua