China premier calls for return to talks on Korean nukes
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BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called Wednesday for new talks to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula, ahead of a visit to the region this week by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that is expected to focus heavily on efforts to end North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs.
Li said China was a strong supporter of UN resolutions aimed at nudging the North toward ending its programs, and had "fully complied" with economic sanctions on Pyongyang.
He acknowledged the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula and northeast Asia in general, saying any conflict would be disastrous for all sides.
"So what we hope is that all the parties concerned will work together to deescalate the situation, get issues back on the track of dialogue and work together to find proper solutions," Li said at his annual news conference held on the final day of the annual legislative session.
