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SCIO briefing on China's policy on the Arctic

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Speaker:
Kong Xuanyou, vice minister of foreign affairs

Chairperson:
Hu Kaihong, spokesperson of the State Council Information Office of China

Date:
Jan. 26, 2018

Reuters:

It's a rare opportunity to meet Mr. Kong, so I'd like to ask some questions about the situation on the Korean Peninsula. What’s your opinion of the recent development on the peninsula? Since being appointed China's new special envoy for Korean Peninsula affairs, you haven't paid a visit to North Korea. Why not? Do you have a plan to go there in the future? If not, why?

Kong Xuanyou:

China's position on the issue is consistent and clear-cut. We are committed to achieving the denuclearization of the peninsula, upholding peace and stability on the peninsula, and settling relevant issues peacefully through dialogue and consultation.

You may have noticed recently that, especially after New Year's Day, some positive changes took place on the peninsula, with the dialogue between the two sides restarted. Even though the current contact is only related to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, we are confident that the resumption of dialogue will be a boon to stabilizing the regional situation.

China welcomes dialogue between the two sides. Their efforts have also been recognized and welcomed by the international community. We hope that through contact and dialogue, the two sides can enhance mutual understanding and trust. We also hope that the two countries can play a positive and constructive role in promoting peace and stability on the peninsula, and in solving regional issues through political dialogue.

The reason that I've not been to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea since being appointed China's special envoy for Korean Peninsula affairs is very complex. However, I need to stress that whether or not I go there, China's position on the issue remains unchanged, and we are working proactively to solve the issue through diplomatic means.

We hope that the current talks between the two countries can continue, and that more topics can be included in their future talks. We also hope that through the joint efforts of the two sides, the current talks can turn into political dialogue that can actually solve the problems on the peninsula.

We call on other concerned parties to give the two countries more support in this regard, and to help promote more contact between them. Nothing should be done to obstruct this process.