The fourth round of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue concluded in Beijing Monday afternoon with the adoption of a much-expected joint statement.

In the current round of talks, which comprises two stages, all parties reached a six-point consensus on the nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

At the closing ceremony held Monday, chief negotiators from host China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Russia and the US, on behalf of their respective governments, unanimously adopted a common statement.

Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, who served as chairman of the current talks and Chinese chief negotiator, declared the adoption of the joint statement at the meeting.

Wu said that with efforts made by all parties concerned, the fourth round of six-party talks was rounded off satisfactorily.

"We have reached a consensus on the general goal of the fourth round of six-party talks and have agreed to announce a joint statement, which is the most significant achievement for the past two years or more," he said.

The joint statement reflects the strong political will of the six governments involved to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, make the peninsula nuclear-free and safeguard its peace and stability, Wu said.

He said that the mechanism of the six-party talks is a "practical and effective" means to the peaceful solution to the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue and accords with the fundamental interests of all parties.

He said the adoption of the joint statement is the beginning of a new stage as well as the end of a certain stage.

"We still have a long way to go. We'll run into many difficulties and setbacks, but we'll never give up," he said.

China will, with joint efforts from all parties concerned, adhere to the orientation of peaceful solution through dialogue and to the goal of denuclearization in the peninsula. "We will safeguard the long-lasting peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia in order to promote common development," Wu said.

He noted that the joint statement reflects the "wisdom and endeavor" of all parties concerned and is "a major step forward" toward the goal of denuclearization in the peninsula.

(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2005)