China hopes all parties concerned will make sincere efforts for the early holding of the next round of six-party talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said in Beijing Tuesday.

At the regular foreign ministry news briefing, Kong said that after the Beijing six-party talks, all parties concerned have made clear their stances on the Korean nuclear issue. He held that all parties still need some time to further study the issue.

Kong said the Chinese side will as usual make great efforts to advance the six-party talks, but the joint efforts of other parties are also needed.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2003)