The important thing for the six-party talks is to maintain the momentum of dialogues, keep the process of talks, and step forward toward preset goals, said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing Tuesday.

Wang, who heads the Chinese delegation to the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, made the remarks in an interview before the third round of six-party talks to be held from June 23 to 26.

The talks involve China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan.

Wang attributed current difficulties in the talks to the long-term contradiction, enmity and deep-rooted distrust between relevant countries.

He said the nuclear issue itself is complicated and not isolated, with connections with such issues as the normalization of relations between certain countries, the establishment of a peaceful mechanism on the Korean Peninsula, and some countries' domestic political elements.

Substantial issues have been discussed in the six-party talks, and the talks have entered a crucial period, Wang said, adding that some difficulties and twists and turns cannot be avoided in the process of resolving the nuclear issue.

China hopes all parties, especially the major ones, show sincerity and flexibility in the talks, added Wang. Various sides should work to find reasonable solutions acceptable to all parties and to make the first step to realize a nuclear-weapon-free Korean Peninsula as soon as possible.

China's role is to make active efforts to mediate and push forward peaceful talks with an objective and just position.

As the host nation, China welcomes and supports all efforts that are conducive to dialogues and talks, Wang said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2004)