Podcast
Nuclear talks restart sought
Updated: 2010-08-31 13:55
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China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) seek an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula, leaders of both nations have agreed.
The pledge comes at a time when several parties involved in the nuclear talks have strengthened diplomatic efforts to restart the deadlocked mechanism.
Kim Jong-il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK's National Defense Commission, expressed this hope during talks with President Hu Jintao on Friday in Changchun, capital of Jilin province, as he paid a five-day unofficial visit to China that ended on Monday.
During the meeting with Hu, Kim said the DPRK remained committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the country "is not willing to see tensions on the peninsula," Xinhua reported.
Kim said he wished to maintain close communication and coordination with China in pushing for an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks to ease the tension on the Korean Peninsula, and to maintain peace and stability there.
Hu said maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula accords with the common aspiration of the people, and China respects and supports positive efforts made by the DPRK to ease the situation.
Hu called on all parties concerned to make positive efforts to defuse the current tension, seek an early restart to the Six-Party Talks and gradually improve the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
It was the sixth visit paid by Kim to China and follows a trip made in May.
The visit came as the situation intensified on the peninsula with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States staging military exercises in surrounding waters.
The ROK-US allies have accused the DPRK of carrying out a submarine attack on a ROK warship in March, which led to the death of 46 sailors. The DPRK proclaimed innocence and threatened to wage nuclear war if it was punished for the incident.
Questions:
1. Where did Kim Jong-il meet Hu Jinato?
2. What is the name of the talks they seek to resume?
3. How many sailors died in the ROK warship in March?
Answers:
1. Changchun.
2. Six Party Talks.
3. 46.
（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.
