China voiced the hope Tuesday that participants in the six-party talks would expand their mutual trust in an aim to comprehensively, and in a balanced way, carry out the second-phase actions at an early date.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks at a regular press conference in response to a question concerning the meeting in Beijing between Kim Sook, new-appointed Republic of Korea delegation head and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei who heads the Chinese delegation.

Qin said the two exchanged views "on how to promote the six-party talks process".

Qin said the six-party talks had progressed recently, and the parties had stepped up the implementation of the second-phase action plan.

"The good momentum of talks process should be preserved," Qin said, calling on the parties to increase mutual trust and demonstrate their pragmatic will and flexibility in a bid to comprehensively carry out the second-phase actions plan in a balanced matter. "China will continue to play a constructive role and maintain consultation and cooperation with other concerning parties", Qin added.

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

Under an agreement reached at the six-party talks in Beijing in February last year, North Korea agreed to abandon all nuclear weapons and programs and declare all its nuclear programs and facilities by the end of 2007, in exchange for diplomatic and economic incentives.

However, North Korea missed the deadline despite reported progress in its nuclear disablement and declaration.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2008)