The six-party talks have become a mechanism and all the relevant delegations held that the positive momentum in the talks should be maintained, Zhang Qiyue, a Chinese delegate to the third round of six-party talks, said in Beijing Friday.

 

Zhang, also deputy director-general of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Information Department, told a press conference that the six-party talks do not mean one meeting only, but a mechanism, and the current round of talks has once again proved the significance and value of the mechanism.

 

"The Chinese delegation is working together with other delegations for written form to record the consensus in this round of talks," she said.

 

Although divergence remains among the delegations toward the proposal on freezing the nuclear programs, all the relevant delegations showed a positive attitude to seriously study the proposals set forth by other delegations and willingness to make utmost efforts to eventually and fully resolve the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue in the framework of six-party talks, Zhang said.

 

The delegation heads to the talks held consultations Friday on key issues, particularly how to launch the nuclear weapon freezing process, so as to make the first step to realize the goal of denuclearization, Zhang said, and members of the delegations also conducted frequent contacts.

 

While the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister and delegation head Wang Yi to the talks described the contacts among delegation heads as "candid and useful".

 

"We agree to start the nuclear freezing and take corresponding measures as the first phase of nuclear abandonment as soon as possible," he said, calling it an important political consensus reached in this round of talks.

 

Although the delegations held different views on some specific issues including implementation plans, they nevertheless agreed to carry out further discussions for the resolution to the issue, according to Wang.

 

"The chance for peace has appeared, and it is most important for all parties to fully demonstrate their political will with a flexible and pragmatic attitude." he said. "In this way, we can overcome the difficulties and blaze a trail for solution to the nuclear issue."

 

"One thing is sure," Zhang Qiyue said. "That is, the mechanism of the six-party talks will continue."

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2004)