Madame Chair,
China is, as always, firmly committed to the goal of denuclearization of the Korean peninsular, devoted itself to peaceful solution of the DPRK nuclear issue through dialogue, concentrated on promoting regional peace and stability in north-eastern Asia. With China’s mediation and the joint efforts by all parties concerned, the six-party talks have been making significant headways. After the first three rounds of talks, all parties concerned have identified their common goal as being the denuclearization of Korean peninsular and have emphasized that it is necessary to take the first step towards realizing this goal as early as possible. It has been agreed by all sides that the nuclear issue and issues concerning energy supply, security and other areas should be resolved step by step in accordance with the principle of oral agreement versus oral agreement and action versus action. All parties concerned have also put forward some concrete proposals and ideas about the approach and means to further promote the talks. All these consensuses have laid down a solid foundation for an appropriate final solution to the DPRK nuclear issue.
Madame Chair,
The DPRK nuclear issue is a complicated one. With discussions on substantive issues intensifying, the peace talks bound to confront more and more difficulties, for which we have got ourselves fully prepared. However, we believe that maintaining the momentum of dialogue and further pushing forward the process of the six-party talks is in the interests of all parties, and is the common desire of the international community. How to initiate the new round of talks as soon as possible is an urgent task now, and for this purpose, the Chinese leaders and the competent officials are continuing their consultations and communications with their counterparts from other parties through various channels, aiming at purpose of promoting the process of peace talks. During the APEC meeting, which just finished, Chinese President Hu Jintao had deep discussions on this issue with relevant leaders of the other states. China is encouraged by the fact that all sides have acknowledged the importance of the six-party talks and expressed the willingness to promote such talks.
It is our hope that all parties concerned will continue to proceed from the consensus reached on the goal of denuclearzation of the peninsular and try their best to launch the next round of talks with flexibility, sincerity. In this context, we call on the concerned parties to avoid any words or deeds that may interfere such efforts. China will continue to push forward this process actively in an objective and impartial manner. We believe that a solution to the Korean nuclear issue, which is acceptable to all, can only be found through dialogue and negotiation in the spirit of equal footing and mutual respect. China stands ready to continue its close cooperation with all the other parties concerned for this purpose.
I thank you, Madame Chair.