U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's upcoming visit to China will help push forward the six-party talks as well as the denuclearization process of the Korean Peninsula, said Chinese analysts.
"The top priority of Rice's tour will be pushing the six-party talks, on which China and the United States have conducted long-term and effective coordination and cooperation," said Fu Mengzi, a research fellow with the Chinese Academy of Contemporary International Relations.
"During the visit, China and the United States can fully exchange views on detailed arrangements for the next phase of the nuclear talks, which is important to the denuclearization process," Fu said.
Under a deal reached by the six parties last year, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) agreed to disable its nuclear reactor and declare all nuclear programs and facilities by the end of last year to pave the way for dismantlement. In return, the United States and other parties, namely China, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Russia and Japan, will provide one million tons of heavy fuel oil and other economic and energy assistance to the DPRK.
However, the DPRK was accused by the United States of missing the deadline despite reported progress in its declaration. Meanwhile, the DPRK also insisted the United States immediately begin the process of taking the DPRK off its blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism and stopping its alleged hostile policy toward the DPRK.
"The nuclear talks are at a crucial juncture," said Tao Wenzhao, a Chinese Academy of Social Sciences researcher, adding that issues such as how to implement the principle of "action for action", and deepening trust between the DPRK and the United States, are all that need to be discussed by the six nations.
Analysts noted that the shuttle diplomacy to revive the nuclear talks were remarkable, showing that all sides involved were keeping up efforts for progress.
A senior Chinese official visited the DPRK last month and met with the DPRK leader Kim Jong Il, and both reaffirmed willingness to push forward the full implementation of agreements.
Top U.S. nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill also visited Beijing last week, during which he had "a good substantial discussion" with his DPRK counterpart Kim Kye Gwan on details about the DPRK's full declaration of its nuclear programs.
Meanwhile, officials from China, the DPRK and the Republic of Korea met in Beijing to discuss economic and energy assistance within the framework of the six-party talks.
On the same day as Rice's visit to China, the New York Philharmonic will give an unprecedented concert in the DPRK capital of Pyongyang, the first by a U.S. symphony orchestra in the country.
"All of these efforts could be seen as positive signals for the DPRK and the United States to show their willingness to maintain and develop relations with each other," Fu said.
The analyst also called on all sides to invest further effort, time and patience, saying the denuclearization process would be a long way off.
"China, as the host of the talks, plays an irreplaceable and constructive role in handling and coordinating the attitudes, positions and disputes between the DPRK and the United States," Fu added.
Rice's Asia tour will bring her to Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo from Feb. 25 to 27. However, she ruled out the possibility of a sideline visit to the DPRK.
"China and the United States will exchange views during Rice's visit on bilateral relations and the significant regional and international issues of common concern," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.
Source: Xinhua
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