China says North Korea’s denuclearization in return for aid must be carried out at the same time.

Kyodo News of Japan quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang as saying the nuclear dismantlement of the North will continue through six-party and working-level talks.

Qin is in Japan for the three-way summit among South Korea, Japan and China.

On the failure to reach a protocol on nuclear verification, Qin cited differences in opinion but that they were narrowed in the talks.