A group of Chinese, Russian and US experts flew to Pyongyang yesterday to discuss how to disable the nuclear facilities of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said yesterday.
They have been invited by the DPRK government and are likely to inspect five nuclear facilities in five days, she said at a regular press briefing.
Yesterday, Xinhua News Agency said seven of the experts are from the US and one each from China and Russia.
The visit will help develop specific measures for the next phase of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, analysts said.
The DPRK will disable its nuclear facilities in exchange for 1 million tons of heavy fuel oil, according to an agreement reached at the Six-Party Talks on February 13. The talks involve the DPRK, the Republic of Korea (ROK), the US, Russia, Japan and China.
A specific date for the resumption of the second of the six-round Six-Party Talks is yet to be decided, though China is trying to make the other parties agree to one, Jiang said.
Last week, US President George W. Bush offered a peace treaty to the DPRK if it gave up its nuclear program. Chinese analysts said that would be an "incentive" to the DPRK for giving up its nuclear program.
Dalai Lama
Referring to a question on Dalai Lama's visit to Portugal from today, Jiang said China firmly opposes any country allowing the Dalai Lama to conduct secessionist activities within its territory.
Dalai Lama's words and actions over the past decades showed he is not a purely religious figure, she said. He is a long-time political exile engaged in activities to split the country. "He represents a secessionist force that preaches Tibet independence."
Nawaz Sharif
The deportation of former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Jiang said, is Pakistan's internal matter. "We believe the Pakistani government can continue to safeguard social stability and maintain its economic growth," she said.
Source: China Daily
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