State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said in Beijing Monday that the joint statement adopted at the current round of six-party talks is "a balanced, win-win and constructive document."

During his meeting with the delegation heads to the talks, Tang said the joint statement has a good deal of substantial contents and marks a significant step forward for the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue. He congratulated the concerned parties on behalf of the Chinese government on the conclusion of the fourth round of talks, which involved China, the US, Russia, Japan, North and South Korea.

Delegation heads thanked China for its unremitting efforts in pushing forward the talks and its important role in the negotiations initiated more than two years ago.

The progress made at the talks reflects the political will of the six parties to resolve the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue through dialogue, said Tang.

He said he hoped that all parties will bridge differences and seek consensus on the basis of the joint statement so as to eventually resolve the nuclear issue peacefully.

Tang also anticipated difficulties and problems in future talks, saying the talks will be "very arduous."

Meanwhile, Tang said that the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue presented both a challenge and an opportunity.

He said he hoped that all parties will strengthen dialogue and cooperation and strive to improve relations, by seizing the opportunity, so as to secure long-term peace and stability on the peninsula and realize common development and prosperity.

He reiterated the commitment of the Chinese government to backing the six-party talks and a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue through dialogue.

The fourth round of six-party talks concluded Monday afternoon with the adoption of a joint statement.

(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2005)