China hopes concerned parties would keep active contacts, promote the six-party talks process and endeavor for the goal of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday afternoon.

The ministry's spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press conference he hoped all sides would continue the six-party process and work toward the long-term goal of peace and stability in the region.

He said chief negotiators from North Korea, the United States, South Korea and Japan held a series of bilateral consultations in Beijing on Wednesday.

Top Chinese negotiator Wu Dawei met with his counterparts from North Korea, the United States and Japan respectively on Wednesday and Thursday. He will also meet South Korea chief delegate on Friday.

The US side held bilateral discussions with North Korea and Japan separately. North Korea and South Korea were also scheduled to hold talks, Qin said.

"These contacts and communications will help the relevant sides enhance mutual understanding, which we hope would also be conducive to a comprehensive and balanced implementation of the second phase action plan."

The schedule of the next round of six-party talks, as well as the chief delegates meeting, was still in discussion. The relevant sides also needed to discuss the sequence of the next round of nuclear talks and North Korea's declaration, Qin said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2008)