Mr. Chairman,

It’s China’s firm and consistent policy to achieve the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and maintain the peace and stability in the Peninsula and the region. It serves the common interests of all the countries in the region, and is the common will of international community to resolve the nuclear issue peacefully through dialogue within the framework of the Six Party Talks as soon as possible.

Three rounds of Six Party Talks and two rounds of working group meetings have been hitherto held due to the joint efforts made by China and other parties. Through the talks, the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsular has been established, the approach to peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue within the framework of Six Party Talks has been identified as the direction, “taking coordinated steps” to address the nuclear issue in line with the principle of “verbal for verbal” and “action for action” was agreed, and nuclear freeze coupled with corresponding measures was endorsed as the first phase of denuclearization.

It has been proved that Six Party Talks is the most practical and effective way to address the nuclear issue. It is in the interests of all parties, and is the common desire of international community to launch the fourth round of Six Party Talks as soon as possible. China is carrying out diplomatic mediation actively for the early resumption of the Six Party Talks process. In doing so China spared no efforts to utilize bilateral engagements to work on both the DPRK and the United States, urged the DPRK to consider coming back to the negotiating table at an early date and urged U.S to create an atmosphere conducive to the resumption of the Six Party Talks process. At present both the DPRK and the U.S have not closed the door of negotiation but considerable difficulties still remain ahead to resume the Six Party Talks process.

The DPRK and the U.S are the key parties on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. To resolve the nuclear issue needs the common efforts of the parties concerned, especially that of the DPRK and the U.S. It’s impossible for China to resolve the nuclear issue by itself. We hope the parties concerned, especially the DPRK and the U.S could demonstrate flexibility, sincerity and patience, take more actions conducive to increasing the trust and reducing the mistrust, instead of taking the actions complicating the situation, so as to resume the Six Party Talks process at an early date thus transforming the relevant consensus into practical actions.

China will uphold the goal of achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and maintaining the peace and stability in the region, promote dialogue and push forward talks together with other parties thus peacefully resolving the nuclear issue at an early date. We also hope the discussions on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula within the Review Conference could contribute to this end.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.