Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing urged negotiators today to show flexibility and pragmatism in seeking "positive" progress in the new round of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Li said at the opening session of the fourth round of talks that realizing a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and maintaining long-term regional peace and stability are in the interests of all parties concerned.

"Adhering to the process of peaceful talks is the sole correct choice," he said.

China, the US, Russia, Japan, North and South Korea are taking part in the talks.

Li said the six parties reached a consensus in the last three rounds of talks on: the goal of realizing a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, the direction of the process of peaceful talks and maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

He said all the parties should cherish the consensus, which was also broadly welcomed by the international community.

The fourth round of six-party talks was originally scheduled for September last year, and Li said that after waiting for more than a year between rounds, the international community is expecting new progress in the new one.

The talks represent a realistic and effective way to solve disputes, he said, hoping that all participants will improve consultation based on the foundations laid during the last three rounds of talks, and enhance mutual understanding by shelving differences and seeking consensus to achieve progress.

As differences remained, "The talks are likely to encounter various difficulties or setbacks," Li said, but he believed that through a gradual process, solutions will be found.

The Chinese side will continue to coordinate and cooperate with the other parties and make unremitting efforts to realize a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and maintain regional peace and stability, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2005)