The Chinese and US delegations to the fourth round of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue held a one-to-one meeting after the opening ceremony, the Chinese delegation's spokesperson Qin Gang said on Tuesday.

The two sides discussed the topics and agenda of the talks, and the next step for resolving the nuclear issue, including the realization of a nuclear-weapons-free Korean Peninsula, Qin told a news briefing.

 

He said China has held several one-on-one consultations with the other five delegations in recent days.

 

As the host country, China has tried its best to facilitate the talks by providing reception services and the venue, he said.

 

As one of the participants in the talks, China takes a positive and constructive attitude in discussions with the other five countries, listening to their opinions and creating conditions favorable for negotiators to make progress, he said.

 

Negotiators will continue the talks on Wednesday, the second day of the negotiation, said Qin.

 

They would have a plenary session tomorrow morning. The plenary session might be going on in the afternoon, or a meeting of the six delegations' heads would be held depending on the development of the talks, he said.

 

The spokesperson called for highlighting the fundamental interests of the people and the world peace in the on-going talks.

 

"All the parties should keep those firmly in mind," he, noting that the international community is closely watching and pinning high hopes on the talks.

 

"That is the most favorable condition for pushing the talks to achieve results," he said.

 

He meanwhile cited the three previous rounds of talks and a series of consensus reached during the talks as "important basis" for making the current talks headway.

 

"It is in the interests of every party and beneficial to the peace and stability in the region and the whole world at large to achieve a nuclear-weapons-free Korean Peninsula and maintain a long-lasting peace and stability on the peninsula," he said.

 

Qin also pointed out that resolving the nuclear issue is a "complicated" process, adding it is hard to predict what results can be achieved.

 

All the delegations participating in the talks have adopted a positive, sincere and pragmatic attitude, he said.

 

According to the spokesperson, all sides have focused on exchanging views in a candid and serious manner, and said they would cherish the hard-won opportunity of the talks and try to seek a way to resolve the nuclear issue through dialogues.

 

He said that all sides agreed to enhance understanding and mutual trust in line with the principles of mutual respect and consultation on an equal footing. They also agreed to give earnest consideration to concerns and requirements of the other parties, and to make efforts to help the talks achieve certain positive results.

 

The current round of six-party talks, involving China, Russia, Japan, South and North Korea, opened Tuesday morning. 

 

Qin said State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan began to visit the US today.

 

During his visit Tang will discuss the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue with the US side, he said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2005)