Britain, China Seek Return to Six-Party Talks on North Korea: Hammond
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said on Wednesday that both Britain and China opposed North Korea's test of a miniaturized hydrogen nuclear device and support the resumption of so-called six-party disarmament talks.
Hammond, who is in Beijing on a two-day trip, was speaking to reporters after meeting Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi.
Hammond said that both Britain and China shared the same resolution in having stability on the Korean peninsula and that sanctions against North Korea could be tightened, Reuters reported.
North Korea said earlier it had successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, which will be a first for Pyongyang and a significant advancement for its military ambitions.
In 2005, North Korea reached an agreement with the United States, South Korea, China, Japan and Russia to suspend its nuclear program in return for diplomatic rewards and energy assistance.
Numerous efforts to restart the talks have failed after negotiations collapsed following the last round in 2008. At the time, North Korea declared the deal void.
North Korea has called for the resumption of the talks, but the United States and South Korea have said it must first show it is serious about ending its nuclear program.
