Christopher Hill, US chief negotiator to the fourth round of six-party talks, said in Beijing Friday that he had "good discussions" with delegations from both China and North Korea.

 

"We had some good discussions with Chinese, also there were some good discussions with the North Korean delegation," Hill told reporters after a luncheon with delegation heads of South Korea and Japan to the six-party talks.

 

Hill and North Korean chief negotiator had a brief discussion of 15-20 minutes Friday morning, said the diplomatic sources.

 

"But at this moment I don't know where those (discussions) would lead," Hill added.

 

"Both of us (US and Japan) had discussions with the Chinese host. Chinese host tried to put forward some ideas," Hill said.

 

"China is playing a significant role in making a breakthrough in this kind of situation and I expect China to continue to play this role," the chief Japanese negotiator Kenichiro Sasae told reporters.

 

Hill stressed that the talks are still going on, saying that "we are still in business."

 

The first three rounds of six-party talks ended inconclusively. The fourth round began in late July and then resumed Tuesday after a five-week recess.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2005)