DPRK urged to consider US 'offer'

China 'will mainly pay the price' for implementation of UN resolution

MANILA - Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to respond to the recent guarantees made by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Wang, attending a series of meetings with foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the Philippine capital of Manila, said China fully appreciated the remarks that Tillerson made last week, and regarded them as a positive signal.

On Aug 1, Tillerson gave four guarantees, including that the United States seeks neither a change of government nor the collapse of the government in the DPRK, and Washington seeks neither the accelerated reunification of the Korean Peninsula nor an excuse to send the US military north of the 38th Parallel.

Wang said that Beijing has expressed its opposition, along with the international communities, to the DPRK's constant missile launch in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. As a result, it consulted with other members of the UN Security Council and voted for Resolution 2371.

Given China's traditional economic links with the DPRK, it is Beijing that will mainly pay the price for the implementation of the resolution, Wang said.

However, China will continue to fully implement all of the content of the resolution to safeguard the international nuclear nonproliferation framework and maintain regional peace and stability, he said.

"We can certainly air our views, but meanwhile, we also could listen to the DPRK's opinions. I think it's fair and helpful," Wang said.

He cautioned against expectations of quickly reaching an agreement, adding that talks are better than isolation.

"Our stand is clear, that is to realize denuclearization in the peninsula, safeguard peace and stability and solve problems through dialogue and negotiations."

Wang further explained that security lies at the heart of the nuclear issue.

"The international community urges the DPRK to give up its nuclear and missile programs, while the DPRK hopes to ease external military pressure. That's why the nature of the nuclear issue is not the economy but security," he said.

He said there are two major components in the resolution - one is sanctions and the other is to call for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

China hopes that all related parties could earnestly take into account and accept China's "double suspension" proposal which requires the DPRK to suspend its missile and nuclear activities in exchange for the suspension of large-scale joint military drills by the US and the Republic of Korea.

China hopes the "double suspension" proposal could gain understanding and support from related parties.

Xinhua