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China, N Korea strategic dialogue back on track
May 24, 2013, 8:23 am

[Xinhua]

Liu Yunshan (right) meets North Korean envoy vice marshal Choe Ryong-hae in Beijing [Xinhua]

China and North Korea will hold the sixth high-level strategic dialogue between their foreign ministries in Beijing next month, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman announced Thursday.

Chinese vice foreign minister Zhang Yesui and ROK’s (Republic of Korea) first vice foreign minister Kim Kyou-hyun will attend the dialogue scheduled for June 3.

They will exchange views on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common concern, Hong Lei announced in Thursday’s press briefing.

North Korean envoy vice marshal Choe Ryong-hae said on Thursday in Beijing that the country is ready to open up “dialogue with all the relevant parties”.

Choe earlier met Liu Yunshan, member of the Standing Committee of China’s Political Bureau, in the most high-profile visit since renewed tensions broke out in the Korean peninsula.

“North Korea lauds China’s enormous efforts to maintain peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and push for a return to talks and consultations for the problems of the Korean peninsula, and is willing to accept China’s suggestion to have talks with all parties,” Choe was quoted by CCTV after his meet with Yunshan.

China has repeatedly urged North Korea to return to the so-called six party talks process aimed at denuclearisation – this was reiterated by the CPC leader.

“We hope that all sides uphold the aim of denuclearising the Korean peninsula, maintain peace and stability and the using of dialogue and consultation to resolve problems, take practical steps to ameliorate the tense situation … to restart six party talks as soon as possible and work hard for long-lasting peace and stability in northeast Asia and on the Korean peninsula,” Yunshan said.

With inputs from Agencies