Eased Korean Peninsula tensions bring opportunity for six-party talks' revival: FM spokesman

BEIJING, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Korean Peninsula nuclear situation has eased recently, providing an opportunity for resuming six-party talks and denuclearizing the peninsula, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said here Tuesday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu speaks during a regular press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 in Beijing.  (Photo: FMPRC.gov.cn)

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu made the remarks following questions on whether a Chinese official's visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and a UN envoy's trip to China meant the resumption of the talks.

Ma confirmed that a special envoy of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Beijing.

"Lynn Pascoe, under-secretary-general of the UN for political affairs had exchanges with China's Foreign Minster Yang Jiechi on the Korean Peninsula situation and other issues of mutual concern earlier Tuesday."

The DPRK nuclear issue is complex and sensitive, involving interests of various parties, and can only be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. Peaceful solutions through political and diplomatic means are the right choices that serve interests of all parties, Ma said.

The stalled six-party talks involve the DPRK, the Republic of Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.

Kim Jong Il, top leader of the DPRK, reiterated on Monday the country's stance of realizing denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula during a meeting with Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Ma urged the relevant parties to make concerted efforts and to continue contact and dialogue and to show flexibility to create the conditions necessary for the revival of the nuclear talks.

The Chinese side has made continuous efforts toward this goal and will work with the international community to achieve the denuclearization of the Peninsula, normalized diplomatic relations between the relevant states and lasting peace in northeast Asia, Ma said.

Pascoe arrived in Pyongyang as the first high-level UN official to visit the country since 2004. He is expected to meet with DPRK's high-level officials to discuss issues ranging from Pyongyang's nuclear program to humanitarian aid issues.