BEIJING, April 13 (UPI) -- China's foreign minister Saturday repeated Beijing's stance that tensions on the Korean Peninsula be should eased through patience and dialogue.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in the Chinese capital to talk about ways to dial down the saber-rattling by its ally North Korea.
"China's stance on the Korean Peninsula is consistent," Wang said. "No matter what happens, China will stick to denuclearization and peace on the peninsula and settling the issue through dialogue."
Kerry was in Beijing to press the Chinese government for help reining in North Korea, which relies heavily on trade and assistance from China. Pyongyang has been readying a not-so-secret missile test with nuclear overtones.
Kerry said Friday when he arrived in Beijing the situation was at a "critical moment" and China needed to use its influence to prevent North Korea from going too far.
The New York Times said Kerry had indicated the Obama administration could resume talks with North Korea if the reclusive Asian nation agrees to discuss ending its nuclear weapons program.
Wang said Saturday reviving the six-party talks -- involving the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and North Korea -- would be a good idea, but the most important policy in the current environment is refraining from any moves that further escalate tensions.
