Regarding the Korean Peninsula nuclear talks that resumed yesterday afternoon in Beijing, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said consensus among the six parties is increasing and China hopes the concerned parties will go on making efforts to score positive results by showing flexibility in a pragmatic and candid spirit.

Qin Gang said at Tuesday's regular press conference that the parties have had in-depth discussions during the first phase of the fourth-round six-party talks, expressing their concerns very clearly with mutual respect and equal consultation.

"Although the talks did not result in a common document as people had expected, the concerned parties increased mutual understanding and accumulated consensus," Qin said.

He voiced hope that consultations would continue to seek a resolution to achieve a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, a goal requiring the joint efforts of the six parties.

He also highlighted that China will, as before, continue to take an active and pragmatic approach to help the parties conduct intensive and profound consultations and reach consensus.

In a response to a reporter's question on the duration of the second phase meeting, Qin said the meeting would still be open-ended.

"I think even the heads of the delegations do not know when the talks will concluded," he said, adding that the closing date has to be jointly decided by the six parties in accordance with the progress of the talks.

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2005)