Wen: Korean nuclear issue at 'crossroad'

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Friday said "there is no other choice but diplomacy" when addressing the Korean peninsular nuclear issue.

"The Korean peninsular nuclear issue now stands at the crossroad and what course to follow is directly related to the peace and stability in east Asia and the world at large," Wen told visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

"There is no other choice but diplomacy and dialogue," Wen said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Beijing October 20, 2006. Wen said the Korean nuclear issue is "at a crossroad" and dialogue is the only choice to deal with the issue. [Reuters]

Prior to the meeting, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met with Rice.

"Fortunately, my visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) this time has not been in vain," Tang told Rice at the start of their meeting.

Tang, who visited Pyongyang as special envoy of President Hu Jintao on Wednesday and Thursday, conveyed Hu's message to DPRK leader Kim Jong Il during the visit.

In talks with her Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing, Rice said they talked about "the importance of leaving open a path of negotiations of the six-party talks."

The six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue remained stalled since the last round of meeting was held in Beijing last November.

The last round of talks, involving China, DPRK, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, ended up with a Chairman's Statement, in which the parties concerned agreed to resume the talks as soon as possible.

Rice came to the Chinese capital amid international efforts to ease the tension arising from the DPRK nuclear test on October 9. 

Earlier in the day, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks with Rice at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

"We hope all relevant parties will keep cool-headed, adopt a prudent and responsible attitude and adhere to dialogue," Li told reporters following his one-hour talks with Rice.

"China would like to work more closely with relevant parties to break the stalemate and resume the stalled Six-Party Talks," Li said.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L) meets with China's State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan in Beijing October 20, 2006. Tang told Rice on Friday that his trip to North Korea earlier this week was not made in vain. [Reuters]

Rice said the nuclear test announcement of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was "a serious provocation" and it "poses threat" to international peace and security.

At the brief joint appearance with Li, Rice said both President Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao want a peaceful diplomatic solution. She did not mention the US military commitment to defend allies Japan and South Korea from an attack by the North, a centerpiece of her remarks in those nations earlier this week.

"We also talked about the importance of leaving open a path to negotiation," through the six-way arms talks, Rice said. North Korea has boycotted the negotiations for nearly a year. Rice said the North "should return to those talks without condition," and begin to carry out an agreement it made last year to give up its weapons program.

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