China pins high hopes on 6-party talks ( 2004-02-05 00:22) (China Daily)
China hopes the upcoming six-party talks on the
Korean Peninsula nuclear issue will "reach some new consensus and arrangements",
said Vice-Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo yesterday in Beijing.
"We hope all parties can show their full sincerity and discuss the issue with
constructive attitudes," said Dai, a Chinese official involved in intensive
shuttle diplomacy since the first six-party session ended last August.
He said that each party should take into consideration others' concerns while
putting forth their own proposals.
The second round of talks, set for February 25 in Beijing, will be attended
by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, the United
States, China, Japan and Russia.
China, together with the other parties, hopes the talks will continue, said
Dai.
He said all parties hope to record the consensus that comes out of the talks.
"What the document will be depends on the progress of the talks as well as
the results of consultations and negotiations," he said.
"In terms of China's wish, we want a good joint document."
China has always insisted that the Korean Peninsula should be denuclearized
to maintain peace and stability there. The country also wants problems to be
settled peacefully through dialogue.
"China will continue to hold this stance," said Dai.
He said peaceful talks are the best way to resolve the Peninsula's nuclear
issue, he said.
He said dialogue has put a peaceful resolution on the horizon.
"So long as all parties are sincere, adopt constructive attitudes, hold equal
and patient consultations, we can gradually establish trust, narrow differences,
expand consensus and find a way to the final solution of the problem," said Dai.
He emphasized that the nuclear issue in the peninsula is "very complicated"
and it is not realistic to find solutions in one or two sets of talks.
"We hope that all parties and the international community can have reasonable
and realistic expectations for the process," he said.
"As the date has been set, China hopes and also believes that all parties
will continue positive efforts in responsible manners and create a better
atmosphere and conditions for the scheduled and smooth convention of the
talks,'' he said.
Dai said all parties have an "open" attitude and are willing to discuss any
question raised.
Questions include how to realize the denuclearizatiion of the peninsula and
how to settle security concerns, he said.
As the host country, China has held consultations with all parties at
different levels, he said.
The international community hopes the talks will be continued and the
European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and some countries
have played positive roles in pushing the process of talks, Dai noted.
The first six-party talks was held in Beijing from August 27 to 29 of last
year. Participants at that time agreed to hold talks in the future to resolve
the issue, sowing the seeds for the second round talks of this
month.
