China is making active efforts for the continuation of the six-party talks on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said in Beijing Thursday.

At a regular press conference here Zhang said the Beijing talks were an important step towards a peaceful solution of the issue, and all sides agreed to continue the mechanism of the six-party talks.

All sides were making efforts for the next round of talks, said Zhang.

China hoped the Korean Peninsula would maintain stability and peace, and the nuclear issue would be solved peacefully through dialogue, she said.

The first round of talks was held in Beijing in August with the participation of Russia, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United States, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
 
(Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2003)