FM: Dialogue key on Korea nuke issue

China will not be misled by comments of various kinds and will not give up fulfilling its duties regarding the Korean Peninsula situation, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.

"In the recent period of time, there have been enough words and actions of protest or confrontation, and we now need voices of peace and reason," Wang said at a joint news conference with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias in Athens.

Beijing will continue dialogue and consultation with all parties involved and play a constructive role in tackling the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Wang said.

Wang noted that although China is neither the focus of the current dispute nor does it hold the key to resolving the issue, Beijing "has taken a dutiful attitude toward the Korean Peninsula's peace and the region's stability, and it has always been working to resume peaceful talks on the issue".

The minister referred to the recent proposals on the issue made by the Chinese side, which are "winning understanding and support from a growing number of countries".

"If the rest of the parties still remain sincere about peace, please offer your solutions as well," Wang said.

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers started a joint drill with the US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and its escort vessels in the western Pacific Ocean on Sunday, Japan's Defense Ministry said.

The Carl Vinson will head to waters off the Korean Peninsula after the joint drill.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/24/2017 page12)