Peking urges Koreans to talk

China yesterday dashed hopes that it would take a strong line on North Korea's nuclear programme, telling South Korea's president the crisis could only be ended through dialogue, Reuter reports from Peking.

During talks, President Jiang Zemin told the South Korean President, Kim Young Sam, that Peking wanted a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula to maintain peace and stability there. 'The nuclear issue should be settled through patient and constructive talks between the parties directly concerned,' a spokesman said. 'We have made our due effort. However, China has only a limited role to play.'