China wants US-North Korea talks renewed
6 January 2006
China has told the US and North Korea to end their dispute over sanctions so talks on dismantling the North's nuclear programs can resume, AFP reported. Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Beijing hoped for a quick resumption of the six-nation negotiations, which would also involve Japan, South Korea and Russia. Talks have stalled over sanctions Washington placed on a Macau-based bank and eight North Korean companies alleged to have taken part in currency counterfeiting or weapons proliferation. The North says these sanctions must be lifted before it returns to the talks.