The U.S. government has affirmed it will not hold talks with North Korea if Pyongyang doesn’t make promises on denuclearization.

U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Joseph Yun said Thursday that the U.S. will only consider dialogue with the North in the event Pyongyang makes credible and genuine pledges on denuclearization. He made the remark during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

Yun noted that in the 2005 September 19th Joint Statement the North vowed to carry out denuclearization efforts and it’s the U.S.’ position that the North must realize such efforts.

Yun also said that the North’s possession of nuclear weapons has never been beneficial for China, adding Beijing wants to engage in dialogue with the North while underlining friendly relations.