Beijing, Dec 02: China, the host for the North Korean nuclear talks, today said it hoped that a second round of parleys could be held within this year to find a peaceful solution to the issue. "The preparations for the second round of the six-party talks are going on. As to a specific date, it has not been finalised yet," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told.

Media reports from Seoul indicated that the talks may be held here from December 17-19. Liu hoped the talks among US, North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan and Russia could be held "as soon as possible."


"If all the preparations can be conducted smoothly, then the next round of the six-party talks can be conducted within this year," he said.

He noted that China was consulting with various parties concerned for some time now and that the purpose of the talks is to solve the North Korean nuclear question peacefully, safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and ensure denuclearisation of the Peninsula. He also stressed that the "reasonable" security concerns of the North Korean side should be addressed during the six-party talks.

"So I still hope that the second round of the six-party talks can be convened as soon as possible which is conducive to the early settlement of the North Korean nuclear question," Liu added. Bureau Report