China, DPRK hold strategic dialogue

BEIJING - Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui said on Wednesday that denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula conforms to the interests of all concerned parties.

Zhang made the comments at a strategic dialogue between foreign ministries of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which he co-chaired with his DPRK counterpart Kim Kye Gwan in Beijing.

Zhang said China attaches great importance to bilateral relations and is ready to work with the DPRK to promote the long-term, sound and stable development of these relations.

He said it is in the interests of all parties concerned to realize denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, safeguard its peace and stability and resolve relevant issues through dialogue and consultation.

China supports dialogues among parties concerned and hopes to resume the six-party talks at an early date, he said.

Kim said the DPRK values the bilateral friendship and is willing to work with China to advance friendly cooperation.

It is the wish of the deceased DPRK leader Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il to realize denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, he said.

The DPRK is willing to hold dialogues with all related parties, he said, adding that the country is also ready to join in any form of talks, including the six-party talks, in order to resolve the nuclear issue through peaceful negotiations.