Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in Beijing Wednesday the six parties to the talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue will make joint efforts to make the new round of talks a "successful and pleasant one."

Li told reporters after his meeting with Jakob Kellenberger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, that the six parties will further enhance coordination and cooperation on relevant issues.

"I am sure all the parties attending the talks will demonstrate mutual understanding and respect, and hold a flexible and practical attitude to promote progress in the talks," he said.

The six-party talks involve China, Japan, Russia, the US, North and South Korea.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kong Quan announced yesterday that the fourth round of the six-party talks will start in Beijing on July 26.

Immediately after Kong made the announcement, South Korean and Russian delegations expressed anticipation for the talks and said they hope the new round of talks can make "substantial progress."

The previous three rounds of talks were held in Beijing on August 2003, February and June 2004, respectively.

After the third round of the talks, North Korea decided to suspend participation, citing US hostility.

It announced to return to the six-party talks on July 9, after a meeting in Beijing between the top US and North Korean envoys to the talks.

(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2005)