WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Diplomatic efforts need to be redoubled to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, Cui Tiankai, Chinese Ambassador to the United States, has said.
China is ready to cooperate with others to further enforce the United Nations Security Council resolutions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which also called for "intensified diplomatic efforts, negotiation and dialogue," said Cui in an interview Tuesday with U.S. national daily USA Today.
The Korean Peninsula has recently enjoyed a reconciliatory atmosphere, forming a contrast with the situation last year, when tensions escalated as the DPRK launched multiple ballistic missiles and conducted a nuclear test.
Last week, the DPRK and South Korea worked out an agreement on Pyongyang's participation in the Winter Olympics with athletes, artists, cheerleaders and visitors taking part next month. The teams from both countries will jointly enter the stadium under one single flag symbolizing national unity at the opening ceremony of the games.
When asked about the possible future reunification of the Korean Peninsula, Cui said that China will support it as long as it is peaceful, independent, and by the will of the Korean people.
"I think it's up to the Korean people, whether they are divided or unified, to adopt an independent foreign policy of their own," Cui noted, adding that "They know where their best interests lie."
China wants a denuclearization of the entire Korean Peninsula, and a peaceful and stable peninsula without armed conflicts and chaos, Cui said.
Meanwhile, Cui refuted earlier reports on Chinese ships sending oil to DPRK tankers.
"We have done our own investigation. I don't think that these ships carry the Chinese flag," Cui said. "In other words, these ships do not belong to China."
"But as long as such activities are taking place in the areas under our jurisdictions, we'll take action against them," he said.
