China says all sides should push for North Korea talks

Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi said on Sunday that all sides should keep up efforts to restart talks with North Korea, as regional powers seek to coax Pyongyang back to nuclear disarmament negotiations.

The stalled six-party talks bring together North and South Korea, host China, the United States, Japan and Russia, seeking to implement a 2005 agreement offering Pyongyang aid in return for nuclear disarmament steps.

Over a year ago, North Korea pulled out of the talks and then in May staged a second nuclear test, drawing international condemnation and fresh United Nations sanctions.