China, Japan and South Korea want the six-nation talks about North Korea's nuclear programme to resume soon. In a joint statement, the three countries say the negotiations are critical to ensuring stability across Asia.

Japan and South Korea want to raise the pressure on North Korea by suspending aid projects there until Pyongyang dismantles its nuclear facilities. Beijing opposes the measure. North Korea left the talks six months ago after the UN Security Council condemned the country for launching a rocket. Aside from North Korea, the six nations involved in the talks are Japan, China, South Korea, Russia and the United States.

Photo: Flickr / Nicolas Gollet