Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said at Thursday's regular press conference that China will continue to play its role in reviving the stalled six-party talks, and insisted that dialogue is the only way to break the current deadlock.

He made the comment in response to the decision of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) last week to withdraw from the six-party talks.

The DPRK's declaration that it has made nuclear weapons overshadows the peace prospects of the region, which were more assured when Pyongyang was moving closer to disarmament.

Kong said China's stance on keeping the Korea Peninsula nuclear-free has not changed, and it will work with its partners to persuade the DPRK to give up its nuclear plan.

"The principle of achieving a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula was reached during the first three rounds of six-party talks, and received international recognition. To save the current status from collapsing, we will make joint efforts with all parties to restart the talks as soon as possible," he said.

He stressed that dialogue is the only way to resolve this crisis and also the only way to preserve peace and stability in the region. China is opposed to imposing any forms of sanctions, believing that they would not achieve a positive result.

Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, will lead a delegation to Pyongyang this week at the invitation of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kong said. The delegation will try to bring the DPRK back to the negotiating table to end the 28-month nuclear standoff.

Meanwhile, Christopher Hill, the newly appointed top US representative to the talks, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Deputy Foreign Minister Song Min-soon met separately with Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing yesterday, Kong said.

Regarding the Kyoto Protocol, which imposes limits on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and went into effect on February 16, Kong said, "It is an important pact and legitimate base to cope with climate changes, and China wants developed countries to ratify it as early as possible."

China, the largest developing country in the world, welcomes the protocol and has been working to reduce GHG emissions in recent decades.

According to the pact, developed countries should cut GHG emissions on average to 5.2 percent below the 1990 level between 2008 and 2012. So far, more than 140 countries, which together accounted for more than 55 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in 1990, have ratified the pact.

In another development, Kong urged US officials to have "a better understanding about the situation in the Taiwan Straits and not to send wrong signals to the Taiwan authorities."

He said China hopes US officials will observe the one-China policy, which has been reaffirmed by the US government, and the three joint communiqués to safeguard the peace and stability of Asia, including the Taiwan Straits.

"Taiwan independence" activists have created the tension in the Taiwan Straits, he said.

"The National People's Congress (NPC) enacted the Anti-secession Law, which helps safeguard peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits," he said. "The Chinese government is committed to peaceful reunification, and one country, two systems, and will make the utmost effort to achieve peaceful reunification, but it will not allow 'Taiwan independence.'"

Kong also said that China hopes to advance the constructive relationship with the US in the new term of the Bush administration.

Kong strongly condemned the recent terrorist bombings in the Philippines, which have caused many casualties.

"The Chinese government firmly opposes terrorist activities in any form, and supports the Philippine government's efforts to maintain national stability," he said.

Kong said China is upbeat about maintaining dialogue and consultation with the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations. Dialogue and consultation between China and the G8 are conducive to the interests of both sides as well as to worldwide peace, stability and development.

The 2005 G8 Summit will take place in Scotland in July. India, China and Brazil have also been invited to the summit.

Kong announced that Vanuatu Prime Minister Ham Lini will visit China from February 24 to March 4.

Last month, Vanuatu Deputy Prime Minister Sato Kilman visited China and guaranteed the Vanuatu government's adherence to the one-China policy.

(CRI.com, Xinhua News Agency and China Daily, February 18, 2005)