By Hong Soon-do, Beijing correspondent, AsiaToday - China will not accept North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons and is open to holding "three-party, four-party or even five-party contacts, the country's foreign minister said Tuesday. In a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing National People's Congress held at Beijing Media Center, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi made his stance clear with a prior condition that it should "help bringing back the Korean Peninsula issue to the negotiating table." This means that apart from reopening the six-party talks that the country puts much importance on, China may review the idea of holding the "five-party" talks, excluding North Korea, which was put forward by South Korean President Park Geun-hye.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks about China's stance on theKorean peninsula at a press conference on March 8, 2016./ Source from CommunistParty-affiliated Chinese newspaper CNS

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However, he pointed out that blind faith in sanctions and international pressure are an irresponsible approach for the future of the Korean Peninsula, stating, "The final settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue needs comprehensive action and the right medicine for the illness." He added that this is why China has proposed to carry out negotiations for both the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and a peace treaty agreement.

Wang also mentioned China's position regarding the US-Korea joint military exercises, stating, "At this time with the situation on the Korean Peninsula, there are swords drawn and bows bent in mutual hostility, and the air is saturated with the taste of gunpowder." He added, "It would be a disaster for both countries if tension on the Korean Peninsula intensifies and ends up losing control. China will not sit idly by and watch stability on the peninsula be destroyed on a basic level."

He was asked "Will China support the North if a war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula as it did during the Korean War?" in which he did not give an immediate answer. Instead, he made clear that China will not take no prisoner with North Korea's nuclear development, stating, "We have an unwavering commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We will not accommodate North Korea's nuclear and missile programs." However he mentioned, "China and North Korea enjoy a normal state-to-state relationship with a deep tradition of friendship. If the country seeks development and security, we will be prepared to help and support."