China disapproves of the withdrawal of the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK) from the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
and supports the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Foreign
Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said yesterday.
Zhang, at the ministry's regular press briefing, urged related
parties not to take any action that might escalate current
tension.
China wishes to underscore that the international mechanism for
non-proliferation of nuclear weapons serves the common interests of
the whole international community, Zhang said.
She said resumption of dialogue on the issue is key in the current
circumstances.
"Dialogue is vital to maintaining peace and stability on the
peninsula and China is willing to work with all the parties towards
an early, peaceful solution to the issue," she said, adding that
talks are the most effective way to resolve the problem.
"If the parties concerned are willing to have a dialogue in
Beijing, there is no difficulty on our side," Zhang said when asked
if China will propose a meeting between the DPRK and the United
States on Chinese soil.
Zhang said China has been in close contact and consultation with
all related parties over the DPRK nuclear issue.
Chinese President Jiang Zemin and his US counterpart George W. Bush
held a telephone conversation about the issue on Friday.
On
the same day, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his Russian
counterpart Igor Ivanov also exchanged views in a telephone
conversation.
James Kelly, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and
Pacific affairs, arrived in China yesterday, the second leg of his
Asian tour, hoping to discuss the DPRK nuclear issue and Sino-US
relations with Chinese officials.
Kelly is expected to meet Vice-Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Zhang
said.
In
other developments, Zhang said John Bolton, US undersecretary of
state in charge of disarmament, will visit China on January 20.
Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Guangya will hold the first round of
consultation with Bolton.
(China Daily January 15, 2003)