Beijing, Aug 25: Though the outcome of the first multilateral talks on North Korea's suspected nuclear weapons programme that would be held here from Wednesday remains unclear, China, the host, is cautiously optimistic on the results of months of hard work and shuttle diplomacy. "The six-party talks represent an important step towards a peaceful solution to the Korean nuclear issue that is key to peace and stability in northeast Asia," Chinese Foreign Ministry sources said even as delegations started arriving for the three-day six-party talks to be held here from August 27. Commenting on the talks between the United States, North Korea, China, Russia, South Korea and Japan, senior Chinese officials said that as the host, China stands ready to make all the preparations and work with the other parties to promote the process of dialogue. They hoped the six parties would strengthen dialogue and mutual understanding, so as to reduce differences and make concerted efforts to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. They also expressed the hope that participants would avail themselves of this opportunity to exchange views and reach more consensus so as to keep the dialogue for the peaceful solution going on.


While much depends on what the reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il thinks, Chinese diplomats are hopeful that the talks would yield some concrete results to ease the current stand-off between Washington and Pyongyang.


Bureau Report