The second phase of the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue enters its fourth day on Friday and concerned parties are trying to narrow the differences over the settlement of the nuclear issue.

 

Chinese delegation Spokesman Liu Jianchao said that Friday's agenda will depend on the wish of all parties and the agenda could include both bilateral and multilateral talks.

 

According to the press center of the Chinese delegation, the Chinese delegation will hold consultations with the US delegation Friday morning while other parties will conduct bilateral talks. US chief negotiator Christopher Hill said the US delegation would meet its counterparts of Japan and South Korea Friday. On Thursday, the six parties held a series of bilateral talks and the chief negotiators held their second session since the talks resumed on Tuesday. The six parties, China, North Korea, US, South Korea, Russia and Japan, reopened the fourth round of talks in Beijing Tuesday after a five-week recess.

 

The first three rounds of six-party talks ended inconclusively. The fourth round began in late July and then went into five-week recess on August 7.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2005)