The Board of Governors of International Atomic Energy Agency held meeting today in Vienna, and considered the Korean Peninsula Nuclear Issue. At the meeting, Chinese Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Vienna, Ambassador H. E. Mr. Tang Guoqiang delivered a statement and elaborate China's postion on this issue.

Ambassador Tang said, China has consistently advocated for the resolution of the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation. The de-nuclearisation of the peninsular and the maintenance of its peace and stability form a consensus shared by all parties concerned and a common wish of the international community. Under the concerted efforts of all parties concerned, the Six Party Talks obtained progress last year and a joint statement was made.

Ambassador Tang pointed out, the end of last year onwards saw the emergence of complex elements in the Korean Peninsular situation, financial problems involving the DPRK and its missiles, which led to an impasse in the Six Party Talks on the DPRK nuclear issue. This is not something the international community wishes to see.

Yet this also fully illustrates the prolonged state of confrontation and isolation between states concerned and the serious lack of trust. This also goes to show that the resolution of these problems requires that the parties concerned keep up patience, use their wisdom, persist in dialogues and consultations and make continuous efforts to overcome difficulties and divergences so as to increase confidence and clear away misgivings.

Ambassador Tang stressed that China has always strived for the maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsular, for the de-nuclearisation of the peninsular and for progress in the Six Party Talks. This principled stand of China is very firm. With a view of maintaining the peace and stability of the peninsular as well as of the region of North East Asia, and of preserving the framework and outcomes of the Six Party Talks, China has all along put in strenuous efforts to this end , actively engaging in communications and co-ordinations with all sides concerned.

Ambassador emphasized that from the initiation and the continuous progress of the Six Party Talks to the joint statement issued last September, the work done is a cumulation of the sweat and blood efforts of all sides concerned. The international community has widely recognised the Six Party Talks as an effective mechanism for the resolution of the peninsular nuclear problem and an important platform for dialogue and consultations among all parties concerned. There are currently difficulties in the resumption of talks, yet the Six Party Talks remains the most effective mechanism for the resolution of the DPRK nuclear issue. It is only when we talk together that divergences can be reduced, that confidence be built, and on this basis, a resolution be found to the issue.

Finally, Ambassador Tang stated that at present, the Korean Peninsular Nuclear Issue remains sensitive and complex. China hopes that all parties concerned will keep coolheadedness and restraint, show flexibility, approach towards one another, avoid complicating further the situation and work towards the early resumption of the Six Party Talks. At the same time, China also hopes that the IAEA will continue to plays its constructive role of creating a favourable environment for the early resumption of the Six Party Talks.