China has made clear that bilateral talks between North Korea and the United States cannot replace the six-way nuclear talks to address the North’s nuclear issue.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Tuesday that China has continuously urged for dialogue since the North’s nuclear standoff first erupted. He stressed that China has played the role of mediator in multilateral talks in order for the North and the U.S. to hold constructive discussions.

Qin, who is accompanying Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on a trip to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, made the statement in an interview with Hong Kong media.

Qin’s remarks come after North Korean leader Kim Jong-il reportedly told Wen in a meeting Monday that whether or not the North is willing to join multilateral talks, including the six-way nuclear dialogue, depends on the outcome of bilateral talks with the United States.