All participants have high hopes for the fourth round of the six-party talks that started in Beijing Tuesday.

They want substantial progress to be made for a framework for a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons to be outlined.

China, Russia, the US, Japan, North and South Korea are once more sitting down together after a 13-month hiatus.

Positive messages from the US, North and South Korea in the lead up to today's talks are very encouraging. These signals show a positive outlook is justified.

The six parties have been making joint efforts to keep the talks moving along. The six-party talks have made important progress since their launch.

They have allowed each country to come to a consensus on the goal of realizing a peninsula free of nuclear weapons. Solid foundations for the fourth round talks have been laid, offering a ray of hope. This glimmer of a peaceful outcome should be cherished by all.

We believe negotiations that aim for nuclear disarmament through peaceful and diplomatic means is a wise choice that is in the interests of all concerned, and those of the international community as well.

To make the ongoing talks possible, China has been in close contact with the other countries through exchange of messages between heads of state or telephone calls between foreign ministers.

The high hopes pinned on this round of talks speak volumes for the desire to work out a path to tangible action.

We are aware of the complicated nature of the matter. The fundamental cause of the twists and turns in the process lies in the deep-rooted hostility and mistrust between the US and North Korea.

The nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula is one of the most complicated and most sensitive of global hot topics. Dialogues are therefore bound to be lengthy.

The talks to be held over the next few days are a test of sincerity, patience and flexibility of the negotiators.

At present, the talks are the most realistic and effective approach to the resolution of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Only through dialogue can confrontation be reduced, understanding enhanced and compromise reached. Hence, necessary conditions for eventual resolution should be created.

Solving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through peaceful talks is a stern test of political wisdom of mankind.

The talks have moved on from the point-blank refusal of North Korea and the US for meeting face to face to direct contact between the two sides under artful design of the six-party talks, from the first round when merely being able to talk was regarded as a success to the third when the sides frankly put forward proposals, with each step accomplished with extreme difficulty.

During the challenging fourth round of talks, negotiations are expected to pursue strategic interests.

In any case, that the six parties are once more around a table is in itself an accomplishment after the trials and tribulations of the last 13 months.

If a solution is to be found, there must be give and take. It is time to work out how to achieve a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons.

With the six parties back on track, the onus is on them to produce something tangible. Do not extinguish the light at the end of the tunnel.

(China Daily July 26, 2005)