Kong Quan noted that China has always made active efforts and play a constructive role for the peaceful resolution of the DPRK nuclear issue.

Kong generalized his country's position with three basic points: to realize the non-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula; maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula; and settling the DPRK nuclear issue via diplomatic and peaceful means.

China welcomed and supported any plan for peaceful solution to the Korean nuclear issue whether it involved bilateral dialogue or a multilateral framework.

The crux of the matter was to reach a consensus of relevant parties, he explained, and the key to the resolution was to open the direct dialogue between the United States and the DPRK.

Kong noted that in the current circumstances, the United Nations Security Council had to be "cautious" instead of resorting to any approach that might further complicate the situation.

Kong also briefed journalists present on the Sino-Russian joint communiqué on the DPRK nuclear issue issued by the Chinese and Russian foreign ministers in Beijing the same day.

In their talks, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his Russian counterpart Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov considered equal, constructive dialogue between the US and the DPRK would be of great significance. Kong added. Both sides hoped that DPRK and US to start bilateral dialogues and negotiations as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, China and Russia were willing to promote bilateral dialogue between the US and the DPRK or to achieve a political settlement of the nuclear issue within bilateral and multilateral spheres, Kong said.

In response to news reports that the DPRK had reactivated a nuclear reactor, Kong said the Chinese side had also noticed the related reports and called for the concerned parties to exercise restraint and to avoid a further deterioration of the situation.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2003)