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In UN speech, China urges talks on North Korea while warning it against pursuing nuclear weapons

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi addresses the 72nd United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York. Photo: Reuters

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that negotiation remained the only solution on North Korea and warned its neighbours not to pursue their own nuclear weapons.

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“There is still hope for peace and we must not give up. Negotiation is the only way out and deserves every effort,” Wang told the UN General Assembly.

“We call upon all parties to play a constructive role in easing tensions. Parties should meet one another halfway by addressing one another’s legitimate concerns,” he said.

He was speaking two days after US President Donald Trump in his own address threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea if the Chinese ally attacks.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also said it would be pointless to start another round of dialogue after North Korea carried out its sixth nuclear test and test-fired missiles over Japan.

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