Zhang told a regular press conference that the United States and the DPRK should resume their dialogue as soon as possible instead of making the problem complicated.

She expressed the hope that all sides should proceed from the overall situation of maintaining peace and stability in the Korean peninsula, and resolve the current tense situation through dialogue.

Zhang said China has been making active efforts "in its own way" for the peaceful settlement of the issue, which erupted last October and intensified recently after the DPRK announced its withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Responding to a question whether the issue should be submitted to the United Nations Security Council, the spokeswoman said that China holds an active attitude toward any suggestion which is helpful to maintaining peace and stability in the peninsula. "At the present stage, however, dialogue is the only effective way."

China is a friendly neighbor of the DPRK and bilateral ties have been going on well, she added. China has kept close exchanges and consultations with the DPRK, and has maintained close contacts with other parties related to the DPRK nuclear issue.

China is ready to strengthen the consultations with other parties concerned and play its own constructive role in addressing the DPRK nuclear issue, Zhang said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2003)