Premier Wen Jiabao said in Beijing on Tuesday that the six-party talks offer "a realistic choice" to resolve the Korean nuclear issue peacefully through dialogue.

"The talks are in the interests of all parties so they should continue," Wen told visiting Premier Pak Bong Ju of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) during their talks.

He urged all sides to show flexibility, sincerity and patience. From its objective position, China will continue to promote the talks and make unremitting efforts for lasting peace in northeast Asia.

China advocates a nuclear-weapons-free peninsula and the maintenance of peace and stability. To that end, "China is committed to resolving the issue through the six-party talks," Wen told Pak.

Pak affirmed that North Korea does not oppose the six-party talks, nor does it intend to abandon them. He stated that provided conditions are right, his country is willing to join the talks at any time.

He said that North Korea's stand on a nuclear-weapons-free Korean Peninsula and on the settlement of the nuclear issue through dialogue and by peaceful means "remains unchanged," and that his country appreciates China's effort in this regard.

Pak is on his first official visit to China since taking office.

China, North and South Korea, the United States, Russia and Japan held three rounds of the six-party talks in Beijing before they stalled last year.

(Xinhua News Agency March 23, 2005)