China reacts to US nuclear amendment

Beijing urged more effort from parties concerned with contributing to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula as a response to Washington's recent consideration over redeploying nuclear weapons in the Republic of Korea, according to a news release from the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

The US House Armed Services Committee adopted an amendment on May 10 to the fiscal 2013 national defense authorization bill that supports "steps to deploy additional conventional forces of the United States and redeploy tactical nuclear weapons to the Western Pacific region," Foreign Policy magazine in Washington reported.

The committee also instructed US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to submit a report on the feasibility and logistics of redeploying forward-based nuclear weapons there.

The US withdrew its last nuclear weapons from the ROK in December 1991.

"The current situation of the Korean Peninsula is complicated and sensitive. Related parties should do more to ensure the peace and stability of the Peninsula and Northeast Asia," the Foreign Ministry said, adding that China's stance on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is clear and firm.

"We will continue to work with the parties concerned in a consistent effort to promote the Six-Party Talks procedure, the realization of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and ensuring the lasting peace of the Peninsula and Northeast Asia," the ministry said.

Analysts said the Washington move will further complicate the situation on the Korean Peninsula, where tensions are already high from fears that Pyongyang may conduct a third nuclear test.

The Six-Party Talks — involving the DPRK, ROK, United States, China, Japan and Russia — began in 2003 but stalled in December 2008. Pyongyang quit the talks in April 2009.

The reporter can be reached zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn