A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Thursday confirmed a senior diplomat of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was visiting China, urging for dialogue to resume the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Kim Gye-gwan, DPRK's first deputy foreign minister, has been visiting China since Tuesday as guest of Wu Dawei, Chinese special representative for the Korean Peninsula affairs, the spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told a regular press briefing.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun met with Kim while Wu held talks with him, Ma said.

"The two sides exchanged views on issues of common concern in a candid and thorough manner, including bilateral ties, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and the six-party talks," said the spokesman.

Ma repeated China's stance on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, which is to stick to the goal of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, and to strive for safeguarding peace and stability on the Peninsula and to settle relevant issues in a peaceful way via dialogue and consultation.

"All parties should exert joint efforts to further ease the situation by enhancing contact and dialogue, so to create opportunities and a favorable atmosphere for the resumption of the six-party talks," Ma said.

The six-party talks, involving China, the DPRK, Russia, the United States, South Korea and Japan, opened in 2003 but was stalled in September 2009.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula, which has deteriorated with the sinking of the South Korean Cheonan warship in March, has improved recently due to efforts of different parties.

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