Chinese FM urges DPRK, US, S Korea to exercise restraint, make right choices

MANILA -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday called on both the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and the United States and South Korea to exercise restraint and make right choices.

They should be accountable to their people and regional peace in making such choices, he noted.

Wang made the remarks while meeting his DPRK counterpart Ri Yong-ho on the sidelines of a series of ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings in the Philippines.

Wang expounded on China's principles and position on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula, noting that the situation on the peninsula is highly sensitive and complex, which has affected the China-DPRK relations.

While stressing that the situation of the Korean Peninsula is currently getting close to the critical point of crisis, the Chinese minister said it is also at a turning point to make a decision to resume peace talks.

He called on the DPRK not to violate UN Security Council resolutions any more, while urging the United States and South Korea not to escalate tension on the peninsula.

The parties concerned should exercise restraint and take positive signals released by related parties, Wang said.

Ri reiterated the DPRK's stance on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, saying Pyongyang is willing to maintain communication with China in this aspect.