China calls for early resumption of six-party talks

China said on Tuesday it would work with other parties involved to resume the six-party talks at an early date and move the process forward.

"China has always regarded six-party talks as a realistic and effective tool to realize denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and peace and stability in Northeast Asia," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular news briefing.

The Six-Party Talks, which were launched in 2003 and involve China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Russia and Japan, have been stalled since December 2008.

After the UN Security Council on Friday adopted a presidential statement on the Cheonan warship sinking incident that killed 46 sailors, China urged the involved parties to "flip over the page" and restart the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue as soon as possible.

Seoul said after completing an investigation that the warship was torpedoed by the DPRK, but Pyongyang has denied its involvement in the incident.

The Security Council statement noted the findings of the joint investigation submitted by the ROK and the DPRK's declaration that it had nothing to do with the incident.

The statement encouraged the settlement of the outstanding issues on the Korean Peninsula by peaceful means and the resumption of direct dialogue and negotiations between the DPRK and the ROK.

China hopes all sides could strengthen mutual trust, bridge differences and improve relations to maintain peace and stability of the peninsula, said Qin.

He called for all parties to take advantage of the UN presidential statement to advance dialogue and negotiation for the ultimate denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and peace and stability of the region.

"A war of words and military means can't fundamentally solve problems," Qin said, urging all parties to take moves that contributed to easing the situation and preserving the interests of the region.

Source:Xinhua