Chinese, Britain discuss Korean Peninsula issue by phone

BEIJING - 5 August 2017: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation as requested Friday with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and they exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Xinhua news agency reported.

Johnson highly praised the positive role China has played in the issue, but at the same time, he expressed great concern about the continuous escalation of the situation, hoping to find an effective solution through negotiation as soon as possible.

Wang expounded on China's principles and position, and stressed that China has made enormous efforts in safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and will comprehensively and strictly implement the UN Security Council's resolutions regarding the Korean Peninsula.

The Chinese foreign minister urged each relevant party to undertake their due responsibility.

The "suspension for suspension" initiative proposed by China is conducive to de-escalation of the situation and is helpful for seeking a breakthrough in the resumption of talks, Wang said, hoping that each party could seriously consider it and respond positively.