중국 왕이(王毅) 외교부장은 19일(현지시간) 북한 핵문제와 관련해 "6자회담을 어떻게 재개할지, 비핵화 프로세스를 어떻게 효과적으로 추진할지에 대해 미국과 새롭고 중요한 합의를 도출할 자신이 있다"고 밝혔다.
방미 중인 왕 부장은 이날 워싱턴DC 국무부 청사에서 존 케리 국무장관을 만나 미·중 외교장관 회담을 가진 자리에서 "반도의 비핵화를 실현하고 동북아의 평화·안정을 수호하는 것은 중미 양국의 공동 이익"이라며 이같이 말했다.
왕 부장의 언급은 중국 측이 북한에 대해 진정성 있는 비핵화 사전조치를 주문해온 미국을 설득할 수 있는 모종의 방안을 마련했을 가능성을 시사하고 있어 주목된다.
왕 부장은 지난 18일 베이징을 방문한 김계관 외무성 제1부상과 만나 6자회담 재개방안을 협의했으며, 이번 케리 장관과의 회동에서 중국 측이 파악한 북한의 입장을 전달한 것으로 추정된다.
왕 부장은 당시 베이징 댜오위타이(釣魚臺) 국빈관에서 개최한 1.5트랙(반관반민) 형식의 '6자회담 10주년 기념 국제 토론회' 개막사에서 "조기에 6자회담을 재개, 반도의 핵 문제를 해결해야 한다"고 촉구한 바 있다.
시리아 문제와 관련, 케리 장관은 "중국이 시리아 문제에 대해 정치적 해결을 지지하는 것을 평가하지만 대응방향을 놓고는 첨예한 이견을 빚고 있음을 인정한다"며 "유엔 안보리 결의안을 도출하기 위해 중국이 긍정적이고 건설적인 역할을 해달라"고 촉구했다.
<관련 영문 기사>
In a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, China's top diplomat expressed confidence Thursday that the two global powers will produce a fresh deal associated with efforts to resume multilateral denuclearization talks with North Korea.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed the need for reviving the six-way negotiations, also involving South Korea, Japan and Russia, in the interest of regional peace and stability.
"I believe it is an important time for the six parties to review the past, summarize the good experience, and open up brighter prospects for the future," Wang said at the start of talks with Kerry in Washington. Some opening statements by Kerry and Wang were released to the media.
Through a translator, Wang said the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is in the common interest of both Beijing and Washington.
"I look forward to having a deep discussion with the secretary on how we can work together to re-launch the six-party talks and effectively push forward the denuclearization process," he said.
"And I am confident that we will be able to reach a new, important agreement."
Wang noted his meeting with Kerry is taking place on the eighth anniversary of the signing of the Sept. 19 Joint Statement at the six-way talks. Under the accord, North Korea agreed to abandon all nuclear programs in exchange for political and economic incentives.
Wang arrived earlier in the day on his first trip as China's foreign minister.
Standing next to the minister, Kerry also said they would engage in a "very important conversation" about North Korea.
"China plays a very special role in addressing the North Korea nuclear challenge and in achieving our shared goal, the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the secretary said.
Kerry and Wang said Syria and Iran are among the other main subjects of their discussions. Detailed results of their talks were not available immediately. (Yonhap News)
In a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, China's top diplomat expressed confidence Thursday that the two global powers will produce a fresh deal associated with efforts to resume multilateral denuclearization talks with North Korea.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed the need for reviving the six-way negotiations, also involving South Korea, Japan and Russia, in the interest of regional peace and stability.
"I believe it is an important time for the six parties to review the past, summarize the good experience, and open up brighter prospects for the future," Wang said at the start of talks with Kerry in Washington. Some opening statements by Kerry and Wang were released to the media.
Through a translator, Wang said the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is in the common interest of both Beijing and Washington.
"I look forward to having a deep discussion with the secretary on how we can work together to re-launch the six-party talks and effectively push forward the denuclearization process," he said.
"And I am confident that we will be able to reach a new, important agreement."
Wang noted his meeting with Kerry is taking place on the eighth anniversary of the signing of the Sept. 19 Joint Statement at the six-way talks. Under the accord, North Korea agreed to abandon all nuclear programs in exchange for political and economic incentives.
Wang arrived earlier in the day on his first trip as China's foreign minister.
Standing next to the minister, Kerry also said they would engage in a "very important conversation" about North Korea.
"China plays a very special role in addressing the North Korea nuclear challenge and in achieving our shared goal, the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the secretary said.
Kerry and Wang said Syria and Iran are among the other main subjects of their discussions. Detailed results of their talks were not available immediately. (Yonhap News)