China reaffirms opposition to North Korean nuclear efforts

BEIJING, June 8 (UPI) -- China reaffirmed its commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula two days after the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed there's satellite proof Pyongyang has resumed operations at Yongbyon nuclear complex.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters Wednesday, "China consistently maintains the principle that the denuclearization of the peninsula...be resolved through the principle of dialogue."

Hong also said that Beijing hopes the six-party talks are resumed through "joint efforts."

"The Korean peninsula's nuclear issue should be swiftly put on the dialogue and negotiation track," Hong said.

Relations between Beijing and Pyongyang have been uneasy since North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January and launched a satellite for "peaceful" purposes in February.

But the two sides appear to be mending fences after a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korea's vice party chairman Ri Su Yong on June 1.

Despite disagreements, China has shown interest in re-engaging North Korea. Xi sent Kim Jong Un a congratulatory note after Pyongyang's Seventh Party Congress, and the Chinese leader agreed to closer cooperation with North Korea during the meeting with Ri.

China also reached an agreement with the United States this week to enforce international sanctions against North Korea, Voice of America reported Tuesday.

Speaking at the conclusion of the eighth annual U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Beijing, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said, "Neither one of our nations will accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state."

Sanctions against the North would be fully enforced, Kerry said.