Telephone Conversation between Foreign Ministers of Japan and the People’s Republic of China regarding the Launch of a Flying Object by North Korea

April 5, 2009
Japanese

For about 20 minutes from 3:00 p.m. on April 5, 2009 (JST) Minister for Foreign Affairs Hirofumi Nakasone and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi of the People’s Republic of China held a brief telephone conversation. The gist of the conversation is as follows.

At the outset, Foreign Minister Nakasone stated that it was extremely deplorable that North Korea had conducted the launch despite efforts by concerned countries including the People's Republic of China and Japan, North Korea went ahead with this launch, which is a threat to the peace and stability of the region and violates the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and cannot be accepted. It also goes against the joint statement of the Six-Party Talks. In addition, Foreign Minister Nakasone stated that, including the possibility of a Security Council Resolution, Japan intended to thoroughly take this matter up in the United Nations Security Council.
For his part, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi stated that he understands the concerns of Japan and other concerned countries, that it is in the interest of all countries to advance the Six-Party Talks process, to achieve denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and to maintain the peace and stability of the region, that this is the hope of the international community, and that it is important for all concerned countries to take a broad perspective and act calmly.
Both sides agreed to continue to closely coordinate, including in the United Nations Security Council.

(END)

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