Related report: DPRK conducts nuclear
test
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes
hands with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during their
meeting in Beijing Oct. 20, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)
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BEIJING, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Friday said "there is no other choice but diplomacy" when addressing the Korean peninsula nuclear issue.
"The Korean peninsula nuclear issue now stands at the crossroads and what course to follow is directly related to the peace and stability in east Asia and the world at large," Wen told visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
"There is no other choice but diplomacy and dialogue," Wen said.
The premier expressed optimism while emphasizing the seriousness of the issue.
"All parties should, while realizing the severity of the situation, see hopes and try to solve the crisis in a responsible manner," Wen said, adding that to restart the six-party talks as soon as possible is an effective way to solving the nuclear issue.
The United States is willing to resume the six-party talks at any time, but meanwhile the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) must scrap its nuclear weapons, Rice said.
Rice believed that an appropriate way to peacefully solving the nuclear issue could be found through joint efforts of all parties.
Rice, in a press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, said the nuclear test announcement of the DPRK was "a serious provocation" and it "poses threat" to international peace and security.
The six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue remained stalled since the last round of meeting was held in Beijing last November.
The last round of talks, involving China, DPRK, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, ended up with a Chairman's Statement, in which the parties concerned agreed to resume the talks as soon as possible.
Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan earlier also met with Rice. Tang visited Pyongyang as special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday and Thursday. Tang conveyed Hu's message to the DPRK leader Kim Jong Il.
"Fortunately my visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) this time has not been in vain," Tang told Rice at the start of their meeting.
In talks with her Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing, Rice said they talked about "the importance of leaving open a path of negotiations of the six-party talks."
Rice's visit came amid international efforts to ease the tension arising from the DPRK nuclear test on Oct. 9.
China is the third leg of Rice's four-nation tour, which has taken her to Japan and the Republic of Korea. She is also scheduled to visit Russia following her China trip.
Li, Rice discuss DPRK nuke
issue
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Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing
meets with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Beijing
on Friday. (Xinhua/AFP, File Photo)
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BEIJING, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing and visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held talks here
Friday morning at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
"We hope all relevant parties will keep cool-headed,
adopt a prudent and responsible attitude and adhere to dialogue," Li told
reporters following his one-hour talks with Rice.
"China would like to work more closely with relevant
parties to break the stalemate and resume the stalled Six-Party Talks," Li said.
Rice said the nuclear test announcement of the Democratic People's Republic
of Korea (DPRK) was "a serious provocation" and it "poses threat" to
international peace and security.
U.S. secretary of state arrives in
Beijing
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U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice, seen in this undated photo, warned on Monday that the UN sanctions
on DPRK are very strong and the international community as a whole will
support its implementation. (Xinhua/AFP, File Photo)
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BEIJING, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice arrived here Friday morning for a visit to China.
Rice is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Hu
Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, respectively, and hold
talks with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, according to the Chinese Foreign
Ministry. Full story>>
Countries urge DPRK back to
talks
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US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
(C) shakes hands with South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon (R) and
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso (L) on Thursday before a three-way
talks at Ban's official residence in Seoul.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)
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Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers of South Korea, the United States and
Japan on Thursday urged an early return of the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea(DPRK) to the six-party talks.
South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon and his
U.S. counterpart Condoleezza Rice and Japanese counterpart Taro Aso held a
two-hour trilateral meeting in his residence, discussing the nuclear issue on
the Korean peninsula, said South Korea's Yonhap news agency. Full story>>
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