Published : Sept. 20, 2013 - 10:28
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left)) and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry attend a joint press briefing prior to their bilateral talks at the State Department in Washington D.C., capital of the United States, on Thursday. (Yonhap News)
In a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, China's top diplomat expressed confidence Thursday that the two global powers will produce a fresh deal associated with efforts to resume multilateral denuclearization talks with North Korea.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed the need for reviving the six-way negotiations, also involving South Korea, Japan and Russia, in the interest of regional peace and stability.
"I believe it is an important time for the six parties to review the past, summarize the good experience, and open up brighter prospects for the future," Wang said at the start of talks with Kerry in Washington. Some opening statements by Kerry and Wang were released to the media.
Through a translator, Wang said the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is in the common interest of both Beijing and Washington.
"I look forward to having a deep discussion with the secretary on how we can work together to re-launch the six-party talks and effectively push forward the denuclearization process," he said.
"And I am confident that we will be able to reach a new, important agreement."
Wang noted his meeting with Kerry is taking place on the eighth anniversary of the signing of the Sept. 19 Joint Statement at the six-way talks. Under the accord, North Korea agreed to abandon all nuclear programs in exchange for political and economic incentives.
Wang arrived earlier in the day on his first trip as China's foreign minister.
Standing next to the minister, Kerry also said they would engage in a "very important conversation" about North Korea.
"China plays a very special role in addressing the North Korea nuclear challenge and in achieving our shared goal, the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the secretary said.
Kerry and Wang said Syria and Iran are among the other main subjects of their discussions. Detailed results of their talks were not available immediately. (Yonhap News)