Address by Foreign Minister Wang Yi

At the Commemorative Seminar

"Retrospect & Outlook: A Decade of the Six-Party Talks"

Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, 18 September 2013

Distinguished Guests,
Dear Friends,

Good morning.

This Commemorative Seminar "Retrospect & Outlook: A Decade of the Six-Party Talks", hosted by the China Institute of International Studies, is of unique and great significance. On 27 August 2003, at China's initiative, it was right here under this roof of traditional Chinese style, representatives from the six parties, namely China, the DPRK, Japan, the ROK, Russia and the United States, gathered for the first meeting of the Six-Party Talks aimed at addressing the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. As the Vice Foreign Minister in charge of Asian affairs, I had the privilege of chairing the first three rounds of talks as the head of the Chinese delegation. I witnessed the tortuous and difficult process of the talks at the initial stage and was keenly aware of the responsibility and mission bestowed upon the representatives to the talks.

Tomorrow will be 19 September. On the same day eight years ago, it was also here that the first joint statement was released since the launch of the Six-Party Talks as a result of the hard efforts of all representatives. The September 19 Joint Statement reflected in a balanced manner the concerns of all parties, and identified such important goals as the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, normalization of relations between relevant countries, promotion of cooperation on energy, trade and investment, and joint commitment to lasting peace and stability in Northeast Asia. Embodying the political commitment of all parties towards long-term peace and tranquility in Northeast Asia, this statement is a political declaration for the Six-Party Talks to march towards the goal of denuclearization and an important guideline for the talks and actions of all parties, hence a milestone in the process of the Six-Party Talks.

The Six-Party Talks is a choice made by history. During the six rounds of talks held consecutively in five years, all parties had dialogues, contacts and interactions on an equal footing, and achieved results that once brought us great hopes. Regrettably however, due to the various complicated factors, the Six-Party Talks process has been stalled since the end of 2008, and so has been the implementation of the September 19 Joint Statement. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Six-Party Talks and the 8th anniversary of the September 19 Joint Statement, it is befitting for us to review past lessons and look ahead to the future.

Distinguished Guests,

Dear Friends,

To achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the common responsibility of all parties. This is essential to upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, to maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, and to keeping an environment that is conducive to prosperity and development of countries in this region. At stake are the immediate interests of all parties. As a close neighbor of the Korean Peninsula and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has major strategic concern over the Korean nuclear issue. We will unswervingly follow our principles, uphold the nuclear non-proliferation regime, and promote the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Our attitude is serious and earnest.

To uphold peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is an inherent part of the efforts to pursue the denuclearization of Korean Peninsula. Northeast Asia and the entire Asia-Pacific region is our shared homeland. Countries, regardless of their size, wealth and strength, all need a peaceful and stable external environment and ought to work to uphold and promote peace in this region. Any attempt to bring chaos to this region or pursue selfish interests will get nowhere. The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula are inter-connected and mutually-reinforcing. Without denuclearization, it is hard for the Korean Peninsula to have lasting peace and stability. And denuclearization will be meaningful only when it is based on peace and stability upheld on the Korean Peninsula. To ensure peace and tranquility in its neighborhood is the firm strategic goal of China, and maintaining peace and stability in this region is the unshirkable common responsibility of all parties.

To uphold the Six-Party Talks process is a realistic and effective route to achieve denuclearization and maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The root causes for the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula can be traced to the legacy of the Cold War and the serious distrust between relevant parties. The Six-Party Talks is an innovative move for countries in the region to jointly address regional security issues through dialogue and consultations. It is also an important platform for parties to have effective dialogue and improve relations. Looking back on its tortuous course over the last decade, we find that whenever all parties were actively committed to dialogue and consultation, situation on the Korean Peninsula would be basically stable; and whenever the Six-Party Talks was deadlocked, situation on the Korean Peninsula would become tense or even risk getting out of control. All of us need to take concrete actions to cherish and uphold the strategic value of the Six-Party Talks.

Distinguished Guests,

Dear Friends,

In today's world, economic globalization and IT application are advancing at a faster pace, countries are increasingly inter-dependent, and the international balance of power is moving towards greater equilibrium. There is growing consensus within the international community to address disputes in a peaceful manner, promote security from a development perspective, and pursue win-win results in a cooperative spirit.

However, mankind's quest for peace and security has never been an easy journey. The Korean Peninsula, which is not far from here, is still under the shadow of the Cold War, as evidenced by political distrust, military tension and stand-off, and the lack of economic cooperation. Such a situation is out of tune with the ardent desire of people in the region for peace, development and cooperation, and thus has to change. We should abandon anachronistic mindset, foster a new security concept featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination, and find new and better answers to old questions.

It is heartening to see that recently, some positive changes have taken place in the situation on the Peninsula. A high degree of tension has been replaced by relative relaxation, and serious confrontation has given way to resumed dialogue. There have been more interactions between the parties concerned, and the North-South relations have been eased. Such a situation has not come by easily. It is the result of the joint efforts of all parties. China, too, has played its role and fulfilled its obligation and responsibility. We should seize the current opportunity and continue to move the situation towards the better. To do so, I would propose that we do the following:

First, the parties should work in the same direction and keep the momentum of relaxation on the Peninsula. The situation on the Peninsula is still fragile and has uncertainties. The words and actions of the parties concerned would have an impact on each other. The parties should approach the situation with caution, exercise restraint, and avoid provocative measures against each other in order to maintain and lock in the current momentum of relaxation.

Second, the parties should jointly shoulder responsibilities and create conditions for the restart of the Six-Party Talks. All the six parties should recommit themselves to the September 19 Joint Statement. Under the premise of reaffirming denuclearization as the goal, the parties should demonstrate sincerity to solve problems, take constructive actions and set reasonable threshold for dialogue. By resuming the Six-Party Talks at an early date, we will start a sustainable and irreversible process for the resolution of the Korean nuclear issue during which trust will gradually be built up.

Third, the parties should adopt integrated measures and address the concerns of the parties in a balanced manner. At the heart of the Korean nuclear issue are the security concerns of relevant parties. They also involve political and economic factors. Therefore, a holistic approach should be adopted to address both the symptoms and root causes. We should advance in parallel the goals outlined in the Joint Statement, accommodate the legitimate concerns of all parties, gradually implement the consensus in a phased manner, and strive for solid progress.

Fourth, the parties should move ahead with the times and enhance institution-building for the Six-Party Talks. The parties should step up study into the Six-Party Talks itself and explore the possibility of institutionalizing the heads of delegation meetings and endorsing meeting outcomes by leaders' meeting so as to make the Six-Party Talks more binding and effective. This will enable the Six-Party Talks to better play its role and serve as a realistic and viable multilateral security mechanism safeguarding peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

The Korean nuclear issue is a long-standing and complicated one. We should reinforce our conviction, create conditions and rise to the challenges. We should be patient and realistic, and adopt an incremental approach. We should work in concert, show mutual respect, understanding and accommodation, and translate consensus into common action.

Distinguished Guests,

Dear Friends,

Peace, development and cooperation represent the requirement of history and the aspiration of people. Advancing the Six-Party Talks conforms to the trend of the times and serves the common interests of people in the region. The Six-Party Talks have been stalled for more than four years. We must not allow such stalemate to continue. All the parties should work for the resumption of the talks. We should not only restart and sustain the talks, but also produce results and deliver peace. China is ready to work with the other parties and make even greater contribution to the realization of lasting peace and security in Northeast Asia!

In conclusion, I wish the seminar a complete success. Thank you!