China urges continued dialogue on Korean Peninsula issue

BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- So long as parties continue dialogue and stay the course, the goal of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula will become a reality, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

The summit in Hanoi, Vietnam between the leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States was an important step toward a political settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress.

The fact that both sides could overcome obstacles to meet again for a candid face-to-face discussion represents a positive development that must be applauded, Wang said.

He said the international community should encourage the DPRK and the U.S. to have patience and keep moving toward the goal of denuclearization and establishing a peace mechanism on the Peninsula.

As the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula has dragged on for decades with complicated factors involved, it can hardly be resolved overnight, according to Wang. He called on all parties to have rational expectations, not to set the bar too high at the outset or make unrealistic unilateral demands.

Wang said the parties concerned should not be prisoners of history. Instead, they should break the cycle of mistrust, and work out together a general roadmap for achieving denuclearization and a peace mechanism on the Peninsula.

Based on the roadmap and in a phased and synchronized fashion, specific, interlinked and mutually reinforcing steps will be identified and taken in sequence, starting with the easier ones and monitored in a way agreed to by the parties.

China is committed to the goal of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, resolving issues through dialogue and consultation, and safeguarding peace and stability on the Peninsula.

"We have been working for these goals for over 20 years, and the Chinese role is irreplaceable. Along with other parties, China will continue to make its contribution," Wang said.