Chinese, Japanese FMs hold telephone conversation on Korean Peninsula situation

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday held a telephone conversation with his Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono, over the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Wang reaffirmed China's stance of opposing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear program and promoting denuclearization on the peninsula together with the international community, adding that Beijing supports members of the United Nations Security Council to speak with one voice on Pyongyang's latest ballistic missile launches.

The Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, in its final analysis, is a security issue, Wang said.

China proposed its "suspension for suspension" and "dual-track" initiatives, aiming to resolve reasonable security concerns of each side in a balanced approach and resume dialogue to settle the nuclear issue, he added.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Manila, the Philippines, on August 7, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

China's efforts are in accordance with the Security Council's resolutions on the DPRK and are also for the common interests of all parties, including Japan, Wang said.

Unilateral sanctions do not coincide with the Security Council's resolutions and are not based on international law, he said, adding that Japan should not make any wrong judgments.

For his part, Kono said Japan strongly opposes the provocative act of launching ballistic missiles again by the DPRK and proposes that the international community take it seriously.

Japan underlines China's role on this issue and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China, he said.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations, Wang said, adding that improving bilateral ties is in the interest of the two peoples.

Wang expressed his hope that Japan will exert efforts to resume mutual trust and rebuild its friendship with China.

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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency