China is supporting proposals for the United Nations Security Council to pass a new resolution on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and urge the council to conduct further dialogue, following DPRK’s nuclear test earlier this month, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at a press briefing following his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who was on a two-day visit to China.
"The new resolution should aim to bring the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue back to the negotiating table, rather than stirring up tension or causing chaos on the peninsula," Wang said.
Wang added that the DPRK's latest nuclear test violated the U.N. Security Council resolution and threatened the international nuclear non-proliferation system, and China also expressed its opposition against the move.
Wang added that China is willing to maintain extensive consultations with all parties, including the U.S., in a responsible way. He described his talks with Kerry as "adequate, profound and conducive to mutual understanding."
"We reached a consensus that the Security Council could react to the DPRK nuclear test and pass a new resolution," Wang was quoted as saying. "We agreed that sanctions are not an end in themselves and it is vital to restart dialogue and negotiation."
Wang also reiterated that China's stance on the Korean peninsula nuclear issue is "clear, consistent and responsible, and will not be changed by any single incident or affected by sentiment."
The foreign minister said that China is committed to the denuclearization of the peninsula, maintaining its peace and stability, and resolving the issue through dialogue and consultation.
"China refuses all groundless speculations and misinterpretations on its stance," the minister said. "China adheres to abovementioned position and has made tremendous efforts over the years and fulfilled its responsibilities and obligations."
China has called for the resumption of the six-party talks, which were launched in 2003 but stalled in Dec. 2008. The DPRK quit the talks in April 2009.
The six-party talks involve China, the DPRK, the Republic of Korea, the United States, Russia and Japan.