China said today that North Korea and the United States, as the countries directly involved in the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, should resolve their problems through dialogue.
"China has always considered the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula to be a security issue and the essence of the confrontation between North Korea and the United States," said Geng Shuang, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Geng's comments came in the wake of recent remarks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that he had sent a message to the US that North Korea was open to direct talks with the US.
Geng said China was making efforts for the United States and North Korea to resolve their differences through dialogue.
He added that China is positive about efforts by other parties, including Russia, to resume dialogue and consultations on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue as soon as possible.