Washington, Nov 08: A top Chinese diplomat said today after a meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell that preparations are underway for a new round of six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons programme. Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the disclosure after an hour-long discussion with Powell at the State Department.

Wang flew here after conferring with North Korean officials in Pyongyang.


In his brief appearance before reporters, he said, speaking through a translator, that he had only one point to make, "preparations for a new round of six-party talks at Beijing have started".


Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly accompanied Wang on his departure from the state department. Kelly declined comment.

Bureau Report