China, U.S. to Break Deadlock on Korean Nuclear Issue

(U.S. negotiator Christopher Hill, left, shakes hands with Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan in Beijing July 7, 2006. Hill arrived in Beijing early Friday for a day of discussions with Chinese leaders on North Korean nuclear issue. Photo: cnsphoto)

(U.S. nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill, left, meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing Friday July 7, 2006. Photo: AP)

(U.S. negotiator Christopher Hill, left, shakes hands with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei in Beijing July 7, 2006. Photo: Reuters)

A senior Chinese official on Friday said China will constantly maintain its efforts and close contact with all parties involved in preserving peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula to realize denuclearization there and push forward the six-party talks.

"China is deeply concerned over the current situation," State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan told U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill during a one-hour meeting in Beijing.

China strived to preserve peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and to push forward the six-party talks on the nuclear issue, Tang said.

Hill said the U.S. administration attached importance to the six-party talks and was willing to settle problems via diplomatic efforts.

The talks involves China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United States, Republic of Korea (ROK), Russia and Japan.

Hill, who is also chief U.S. negotiator in the six-party talks, arrived in Beijing Friday morning after Wednesday's test-firing of missiles by the DPRK.

Before meeting with Tang, Hill held talks with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei and also met with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

Hill will conclude his brief stay in Beijing Friday afternoon and is expected to continue his visit to the Republic of Korea and Japan.

Kenichiro Sasae, Japan's chief negotiator to the six-party talks, is also in Beijing and is expected to meet with Wu Dawei Friday afternoon.

According to early reports, Wu, China's top negotiator to the six-party talks, will accompany Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on a visit to the DPRK next week. 

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Thursday that a spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry confirmed that the DPRK had test-fired the missiles.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush discussed by phone the latest situation on the Korean Peninsula Thursday evening.

Hu told Bush that China is committed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and opposed to any actions that might intensify the situation, according to a statement from the China's Foreign Ministry.

Bush said the United States was concerned about the current situation on the Korean Peninsula.

"The United States still adheres to the commitment of resolving the Korean Peninsula issue by diplomatic means", Bush was quoted as saying.

Hu said China is "deeply concerned" over the current situation. "Under such a complicated situation, it is highly necessary for all the related parties to keep calm and show restraint."

China is willing to keep negotiations with related parties on this issue, he said.

It is of vital importance for the realization of a nuclear-weapon-free Korean Peninsula and the maintenance of peace and stability on the peninsula to fully implement the Joint Statement, adopted at the end of the fourth round of six-party talks in September last year, Hu said.

He called on all parties concerned to create conditions for the resumption of the six-party talks at an early date.

Bush said the United States appreciated efforts China has made to keep the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The United States would like to keep communications with China, Bush said.

The UN Security Council met Wednesday for an emergency meeting to discuss the missile tests by the DPRK, which reportedly launched seven missiles on Wednesday morning.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a regular press briefing on Thursday that China hopes that the UN response to the missile tests should be helpful to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on July 5 discussed the situation of the Korean Peninsula with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a phone conversation.

"The two sides have exchanged views on the missile test-firing by the DPRK," Jiang said, adding they agreed to keep in contact with each other on this issue.

Li also talked over phone with Japanese Foreign Minister Aso Taro, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea Ban Ki-Moon and Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on Wednesday respectively.

They exchanged views on the latest development of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Jiang said.(Source:Xinhua)