In order to achieve the goal of a denuclearized Peninsula at an early date, all parties should have sincerity, resolve, patience and confidence, said State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan in Beijing Friday afternoon.

Tang made these remarks when meeting with heads of the delegations attending the six-party talks.

The third round of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, which opened Wednesday, will conclude Saturday at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in downtown Beijing.

Tang, on behalf of the Chinese government, welcomed them to Beijing for the talks. He said all parties have an in-depth exchange of views on realizing denuclearization in the Peninsula since Wednesday.

Though there are still difficulties and differences on some related issues, all sides have made conscientious preparations and held in-depth discussions. And the talks, with substantial contents, have set a crucial foundation for all sides to narrow their differences, seek consensus and step toward nuclear abandonment as quickly as possible, noted Tang.

Quoting an old Chinese saying, He said the talks are "like an upstream boat -- if it does not try its best to go forward up the river, then the water will lug it behind."

"Since we have launched the six-party talks, the burden is heavy and the road is long, and no matter what difficulties we meet, we should, keeping peace and stability of the region in mind, adhere to peacefully resolving the issue, keep to the peace talk process, and try our best to find the converging points of the interests of all sides so as to materialize denuclearization in the Peninsula at an early date," said Tang.

Tang reiterated that China will support the process of the six-party talks and play a positive role in pushing the resolution of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Leaders of the delegations hold this round of talks has witnessed positive momentum and it should not be missed.

The six parties are willing to advance the issue to be resolved in the framework of six-party talks, according to the heads.

They also thanked the Chinese side for its unremitting efforts and considerate arrangement of the meeting.

The six parties are China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Russia and Japan.

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2004)