Delegates to the six-party talks on the Korean nuclear issue have been earnest, practical and frank in their speeches, said a Chinese official in Beijing Wednesday.  

Liu Jianchao, member of the Chinese delegation and deputy director-general of the Foreign Ministry Information Department, said at the press briefing that the second round of talks had entered a stage of substantial discussions.

He said China opposed the practice of sanctions, blockades and pressure on the issue. China is even more opposed to the use or threat of force.

Liu said Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi had explained China's principled stance of working to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the North Asian region.

He said China always hoped the issue would be solved through dialogue and peaceful means.

Liu said such issues as the realization of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the elimination of the rational security concerns of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) should be linked for a reasonable solution.

Liu said the first round of six-party talks served as good starting point for all parties who had maintained close consultations and contact. This helped deepen understanding of each other's stance and have a clearer vision of the problems ahead. Conditions had matured and a foundation had been laid for further progress.

The six parties participating in the talks are China, the DPRK, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan.

(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2004)