On the night of July 25, 2005, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held a reception in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse to welcome the delegations from different countries to the fourth round of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue on behalf of the Chinese government.

Li Zhaoxing expressed sincere congratulations on the resumption of the six-party talks in his speech. He said we experienced some twists and turns in the past year but also accumulated more wisdom.

Li stressed people's interest and world peace represent two most valuable things on earth. The six-party talks are aimed at safeguarding the interest of the people of the six nations concerned and the world at large, and maintaining and consolidating peace and stability. This is not only the call of the times, but also the common aspiration of the international community. Li hoped all parties concerned can be well aware of the important and honorable mission on their shoulder and to make joint efforts to push the fourth round of six-party talks for positive results in an effort to resolve the nuclear issue peacefully through dialogue, realize denuclearization of the peninsula, safeguard peace and stability of the region, create a new era for the reconciliation and cooperation of Northeast Asia and bring benefits to the people of all parties concerned.

The fourth round of six-party talks is scheduled to open on the morning of July 26 in Beijing.