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| Wang Yi |
North Korea's young leader, Kim Jong-un, has yet to visit China since taking the helm of the reclusive state in late 2011, while Russia has said that Kim would be among those attending a May 9 ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Political ties between North Korea and China remain strained, particularly after the North's third nuclear test in February 2013.
Asked whether North Korea's Kim could visit China this year, Wang replied, "As to when our leaders will meet, we will have to see when it is convenient for both parties."
"The China-North Korea relationship has a strong foundation. It should not and will not be affected by temporary events," Wang said.
North Korea is China's only formal treaty ally, but Beijing's leadership has appeared to become increasingly frustrated by the North's nuclear and missile ambitions.
Analysts say North Korea won't give up its nuclear weapons program because having it would prolong the Kim regime and help obtain political and economic benefits from the international community.
With China cold-shouldering North Korea's nuclear policy, Pyongyang is seeking to deepen both diplomatic and economic ties with Russia.
North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong told a U.N. meeting last week that Pyongyang would strongly respond to ongoing joint military drills between South Korea and the United States.
Wang urged all relevant countries to exercise calm and restraint on the Korean Peninsula, saying the situation there "is entering another delicate period."
"We call on the relevant countries to exercise calm and restraint and say and do things that will have a positive effect so as to continue fostering an atmosphere and conditions for resuming the six-party talks," Wang said.
The six-party talks, aimed at persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear ambition, have been dormant for nearly six years. The talks involve South Korea, North Korea, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan.
North Korea has called for the resumption of the six-party talks without preconditions, but South Korea and the U.S. insist that the North should first show its sincere commitment toward forgoing its nuclear weapons program. (Yonhap)
