Minister urges prompt talks between US, DPRK

Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Washington and Pyongyang to have talks soon, saying that now is a crucial moment for testing the sincerity of all parties in solving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Wang said on Thursday that Beijing fully supports the efforts made by Pyongyang and Seoul to ease tensions and improve ties through a series of interactions during the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, which concluded last month.

The fact that Pyongyang did not conduct a nuclear test during the Games, and that Washington and Seoul suspended joint exercises targeting Pyongyang, proves that Beijing's "suspension-for-suspension" proposal was the right prescription, Wang said.

Beijing has been calling on Pyongyang to suspend its nuclear and missile programs, and on Washington and Seoul to suspend their large-scale military exercises, to create favorable conditions for talks.

Wang called for not only denuclearization but also the establishment of a peace mechanism on the peninsula that addresses each party's legitimate security concerns.

Warning against possible interference that could hinder the easing of tensions, Wang called for all parties to show their political courage and try their best to resume peace talks.

Seoul sent a delegation to visit Pyongyang earlier this week, and an agreement was reached to have a summit in April.

Wang said Beijing has been "following a distinctively Chinese approach" that is peaceful, justifiable and constructive in solving hot international issues.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China should play an active role in solving such problems, Wang said. "The world expects no less from us."

China has been promoting political solutions and believes that disputes should be solved through talks, Wang said, adding that it is firmly against the use of force. The country has stuck to the principle of noninterference in other countries' domestic affairs and respects their sovereignty and will. It is also firmly against imposing one's views on others, he said.

Also, China bases its mediation approach on objectivity and fairness, he said.

wangqingyun@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/09/2018 page3)