Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei left Thursday for a four-nation tour to discuss the Korean nuclear crisis, according to foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang.

The four nations include Russia, U.S., Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

"He will exchange views with the relevant sides on the Korean nuclear issue and the situation in northeast Asia," Qin told a regular press conference.

He said Wu's itinerary would be arranged in accordance with the result of the consultation with the relevant sides.

"China has kept close contact with all relevant parties to push forward six-party talks, and we will continue to do so," he said.

He added China always advocates the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula through dialogues under the six-party talks.

Qin also confirmed that Philip Goldberg, a former ambassador who is in charge of coordinating the implementation of sanctions against the DPRK, was now in Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency July 2, 2009)