All the six parties involved in talks on the Korean nuclear issue have agreed to solve the issue peacefully through dialogue with the hope of continuing the talks, said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing Tuesday.  

Reviewing the consultations with related parties, Wang said the United States is willing to show patience, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is willing to show flexibility, the Republic of Korea has put forward some specific suggestions and Japan is willing to play an active role.

Wang pointed out the complexity of the nuclear issue, noting that all the concerned parties still have a lot of differences in their opinions, especially the United States and the DPRK.

It is hard to predict the result of the talks since anything might happen, said Wang. However, China, as the host country, hopes all sides will show flexibility, build trust, narrow the gap and reach consensus, thus pushing the talks to achieve concrete progress.

Wang said the Chinese side holds an open attitude on the duration of the talks.

China regards this round of talks as "starting concrete discussions" and marking that the peaceful talks for solving the Korean nuclear issue have been deepened.

The six-party talks will begin Wednesday morning and China has held consultations with the other five sides separately.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2004)