Direct dialogue between the parties concerned is the only effective solution to the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman reiterated in Beijing Thursday, saying the UN Security Council should not get involved in seeking a solution to the DPRK nuclear issue at the current stage.
At a regular news conference, Zhang Qiyue said that although China is in favor of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reporting to the UN Security Council on the nuclear status of the DPRK, it does not mean that China favors further involvement by the Security Council at the present time.
China hopes the all relevant parties would actively engage in direct dialogue to resolve the DPRK nuclear issue, she said.
Wednesday's IAEA resolution on the DPRK nuclear issue stressed resolving the issue through peaceful and diplomatic means, she said, adding that the resolution requires that the IAEA report to the UN Security Council on the status of the DPRK nuclear issue.
It was precisely on this basis that China agreed to the IAEA resolution, she noted.
Zhang said China hopes that the resolution will be conducive to the settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue through direct dialogue and political means.
China called for greater patience and more diplomatic efforts from the international community, so as to permit the creation of the necessary conditions and atmosphere to resolve the issue and avoid its further escalation, she said.
Meanwhile, she reiterated that China supports the use of diplomatic and peaceful means to settle international disputes, rather than the use of force or sanctions.
She urged the parties concerned to continue to adopt the sober-minded attitude instead of extreme deeds and words, so as to create a favorable environment for the resumption of direct dialogue at the earliest opportunity.
(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2003)
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