BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Tuesday that the six-party talks offered "a realistic choice"to peacefully resolve the Korean nuclear issue through dialogue.

    "The talks are in the interests of all parties so it should continue," Wen told visiting Premier Pak Bong Ju of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) during their talks.

    He urged all sides to show flexibility, sincerity and patience. Proceeding from objective and fair stance, China will continue to actively promote the talks and make unremitting efforts for the realization of a lasting peace in northeast Asia.

    The nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula is a matter related with peace and security in northeast Asia. China advocates a nuclear-weapon-free peninsula and the maintenance of peace and stability on the peninsula, he said. To that end, "China is committed to resolving the issue through the six-party talks," he told Pak.

    Pak said the DPRK does not oppose to the six-party talks, neither will abandon the talks. "Provided conditions are right, the DPRK will join the talks at any time," he said.

    He said the DPRK's stand on the realization of a nuclear-weapon-free Korean Peninsula and on the settlement of the nuclear issue through dialogue and by peaceful means "remains unchanged".

    The DPRK appreciates China's efforts for realizing a nuclear-weapon-free Korean Peninsula, Pak said.

    Pak is on his first official visit to China after taking office.

    The six-party talks, already held three rounds in Beijing, involved China, the DPRK, the United States, Russia, the Republic of Korea and Japan. Enditem