China said it stands for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and cites abandoning nuclear programs and solving rational concerns of relevant sides as the two major components of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.  

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said in Beijing Tuesday at a regular press conference that the relevant parties will have in-depth discussions on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue at the second round of six-party talks that are scheduled for Wednesday.

"Questions will become clearer as the talks proceed," the spokeswoman said.

She went on to say that China will brief on the progress of the delegations' consultations sometime later Tuesday, possibly through a written form.

The Chinese side hopes to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and, as for how to resolve these issues, she noted, "that are precisely what the new round of talks will address."

According to the spokeswoman, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo will host a reception in honor of the delegations Tuesday evening.

So far, delegations from the United States, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan have all arrived in Beijing for Wednesday's talks.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2004)