China FM calls for talks on peace treaty, denuclearization of N. Korea

BEIJING, March 8 (Yonhap) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday renewed his calls for holding peace treaty talks with North Korea in tandem with discussions about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Speaking to a press conference, Wang said the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the "firm goal" of the international community, but relevant countries should address the concerns of North Korea at the same time.

Wang described his proposal for peace treaty talks with North Korea as "reasonable."

China is also opposed to any actions that might further escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Wang said.

In recent weeks, China has called for relevant nations to simultaneously pursue discussions to end the 1950-53 Korean War and reach a settlement on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The Korean War ended in a ceasefire, not a peace treaty.

The Chinese proposal echoed a long-standing demand by North Korea.

The U.S. has said the demand by North Korea is a nonstarter as long as the North pursues its nuclear ambitions. U.S. officials have stressed that Pyongyang has got the order wrong and should first focus on negotiations to end its nuclear program.

kdh@yna.co.kr
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