China supports contact and dialogue between North Korea and the
US, spokeswoman of Chinese delegation to the six-party talks Jiang
Yu said Monday evening.
"We hope the both sides can seize the opportunity to conduct
in-depth exchange of views on each other's concern and take
flexible attitude in properly resolving this issue," Jiang said
when briefing reporters on the first day since resumption of the
six-party talks.
According to Jiang, a meeting of chief negotiators of the six
parties will be held this morning and a series of bilateral
meetings and consultations are expected to be held this
afternoon.
Top US negotiator Christopher Hill confirmed Monday afternoon
the US and North Korea have not yet had any bilateral meetings, but
adding that he may have a bilateral meeting with the North Korean
side today, and the US has always prepared to hold such bilateral
talks.
Jiang also revealed that the US and North Korean sides will hold
consultation on the issue of financial sanctions.
"We hope the consultation will achieve positive progress," she
said.
(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2006)