Mr. Chairman,

My delegation takes note of the Director General's introductory statement on the implementation of safeguards in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supports the agency to play its due role in this regard.

Mr. Chairman,

China's steadfast position on the Korean Peninsular Nuclear Issue will not change because of a temporary issue or incident. We are committed to the denuclearization of and peace and stability on the peninsula, as well as seeking a solution through dialog and consultation.

Nuclear tests conducted by the DPRK violated United Nations Security Councilresolutions and undermined regional peace and stability, actions to which China is resolutely opposed and for which the DPRK has to pay adue price. We support the adoption by Security Council of a new strong resolution to curb DPRK's nuclear weapons development program. Sanctions are, however, just a means to an end and not the end itself. Ultimately the peninsular issue has to be solved once and for all through dialog and negotiation.

With the current peninsular situation very sensitive and fragile, the parties concerned should avoid irritant actions which aggravate confrontation and tension. We hope to see the various parties stay on the right course of dialog and consultation in search of a solution, work together for the early restart of talks, pursue a dual-track parallel approach that includes denuclearization and replacing the 1953 Armistice Agreement with a peace agreement. China stands ready to join the international community in doing all it can toward a nuclear-free, peaceful and stable Korean peninsula.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.

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