Good afternoon, dear friends from the media. First of all, I'd like to particularly welcome the Chinese and foreign journalists covering the six-party talks. Please allow me to briefly introduce today's meetings.

The second phase of the fifth round of six-party talks was held in Beijing today. The parties to the talks held an opening ceremony and a plenary session. The heads of delegations delivered keynote speeches. Bilateral consultations were conducted between some delegations this afternoon.

In the morning's plenary session, Wu Dawei, head of the Chinese delegation delivered a speech. He said that the six-party talks have withstood hardships and tests. So long as we stay patient, make constant efforts, treat each other sincerely, and work for the common goal, we can overcome the difficulties on the way forward. Wu also pointed out that the September 19 Joint Statement, as a result of consensus of the six parties, is a political declaration for the goal of realizing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and a guiding document that should be observed by all parties. The adoption of the Joint Statement symbolizes that we have completed the 'commitment for commitment' phase and the future task is now to implement the Joint Statement in line with the 'action for action' principle. The Chinese delegation is willing to work together with the other delegations to participate in the talks and consultations in an active, flexible and pragmatic attitude and make constructive efforts for the talks to achieve positive results.

Now, I'd like to answer your questions.

I. The issue that interests us most is whether DPRK and the United States have held bilateral talks. As the chair country, can China tell us something about it?

A: There will be both bilateral and multilateral meetings for these few days, during which the plenary sessions and the meetings of heads of delegations will be held in turn. The parties may conduct engagement and consultations in forms they think necessary. Up to now, 10 meetings have been held, 6 out of which relate to China. ROK, Japan and US held bilateral talks respectively this afternoon. China and Japan are now conducing bilateral consultations.

II. Can you tell us what China has done for the resumption of the six-party talks? Different from the previous rounds of talks, the parties have started bilateral engagement before the formal talks. What are your comments on such engagement?

A: Realizing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through dialogues and consultations, achieving the normalization of state relations, safeguarding the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asian region, and building a harmonious Northeast Asia comply with the fundamental interest of all parties concerned. Having in mind this strategic perspective, China has been unremittingly advancing the six-party talks in a responsible attitude amidst the changes in situation. The resumption of the 6-party talks embodies the positive efforts and good political wills of all parties as well as the attention and expectations of the people of the six countries and the international community.

As for your second questions, I think you have noticed that the parties have conducted in-depth discussions on related issues recently. I hope that these efforts could bear fruits.

III. There are no bilateral talks between DPRK and the United States today. What's your comment on this?

A: The bilateral consultations and meetings I mentioned earlier were all held in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. With respect to the bilateral engagement in other locations and forms, you may ask the parties concerned. Talking about the bilateral talks between DPRK and the United States, we support both parties in strengthening engagement and dialogue and take the opportunity of this round of talks to deepen consultations and exchange views on issues of mutual interest. I hope that DPRK and the United States could find out a proper solution in a flexible and pragmatic attitude.

IV. Japanese Vice Foreign Minister shared with us his views in the International Press Center. He mentioned that the 6-party talks would establish a working group to deal with such issues as the kidnapped Japanese. Can you share with us some information about this working group?

A: I hope that DPRK and Japan could find out a proper solution to the issues you mentioned through consultations. On the morning, the delegations voiced their respective positions on the concrete measures and steps for the implementation of the Joint Statement and put forward their proposals. Setting up a working group is one of the proposed measures. As to whether to set up working groups or what types of working groups to be established, we still need to have in-depth discussions.

V. Will financial sanctions impact the 6-party talks? What are your comments upon the outcome of the talks? Is it a success or failure?

A: As far as I know, the United States and DPRK will conduct consultations on financial issues. We hope that their consultations could achieve positive progress.

Concerning your 2nd question, I'd like to say that the 6-party talks were in a deadlock for over one year. The resumption is hard won and deserves to be cherished by all parties. We hope that all parties could work closely to make the talks achieve positive results. However, realizing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a complex and gradual process and it cannot be done overnight. The parties have all raised their proposals and concerns. It can be said that their differences on some issues are obvious even dramatic. This requires all parties concerned to take a pragmatic attitude, take each other's concerns into full account, seek solutions acceptable to all and create a mutually beneficial and win-win future in the process of enhancing mutual trust.

VI. What are your comments on this round of talks? What's your expectation of the outcome? If the delegations spend their Christmas here in Beijing, is China prepared to play host? :

A: This round of talks has already had a good start and is of special significance, which can be reflected in the following three aspects:

First, the 6-party talks arrived at a deadlock over one year ago. Since then, dramatic and complex changes have taken place with the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and the process of 6-party talks has undergone varied hardships and tests. In such context, the six-party talks were resumed with the concerted efforts of all parties concerned. The nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula was pulled back on the track of negotiations. It is positive development by itself and conducive to easing up the current situation.

Second, in today's meeting, the parties all stuck to the right direction of resolving problems through dialogues and the main goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and reaffirmed their commitments to implement the September 19 Joint Statement comprehensively and earnestly. We believe that this is a reflection of the positive political will of the parties concerned.

Third, all parities voiced their principles, positions and proposals on the implementation of the Joint Statement at today's meeting and expressed their wiliness to carry out comprehensive and in-depth discussions in a future-oriented, flexible and pragmatic attitude. Such attitude is conducive to the attainment of positive results.

If the delegations are willing to spend their Christmas here in Beijing, we are certainly happy to welcome them. But the ending date of the talks hasn't been decided. We will maintain contacts with the parties concerned according to the development of the talks.

VII. Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing indicated that the key to the 6-party talks is the lack of trust between DPRK and the United States. What do you think is the biggest barrier to the 6-party talks? China and Japan conducted consultations for two successive days. Does that indicate Japan's position is far from the positions of other parties, which requires China to intensify the mediation efforts?

A: Mentioning bilateral engagement, I'd like to say that in every round of talks, all parties have conducted intensive and multi-level engagement and consultations according to their needs. It's normal.

In terms of the mutual trust between DPRK and the United States, the two countries made commitments in the September 19 Joint Statement to respect each other's sovereignty, co-exist peacefully and take steps to realize the normalization of relations in line with their respective bilateral policies. We hope that they could, in line with the spirit of mutual respect and consultations on an equal footing, take advantage of this platform to strengthen communications, enhance mutual trust, narrow down differences and find peaceful solutions through dialogues so as to drive the situation of the Korean Peninsula toward a positive direction.

As for your questions concerning difficulties and barriers, the parties hold obviously different views on the concrete means and steps for the implementation of the Joint Statement. Some differences are even dramatic. To narrow down these differences requires the persistent efforts of all parties. The goal of the talks is to narrow down differences and expand consensuses. We hope that the parties concerned could bring out their political wisdom, demonstrate their sincerity, draw close to each other, and work for the common goal. We hope that the parties concerned could march toward the goal of the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula through their concerted efforts on the basis of enhanced mutual trust.

IIX. DPRK put forward a number of requirements in today's plenary session. What are your comments on that? Up to now major differences still exist, so what do you think should be first discussed tomorrow?

A: today's talks were conducted in an earnest, frank and pragmatic atmosphere. The delegations voice their ideas and suggestions on the concrete measures for the implementation of the Joint Statement. This is conductive to increasing understanding between the parties. The parties concerned expressed that they will continue their discussions on issues of mutual concern. We look forward to working together with all parties to advance the talks toward a positive direction.

In terms of difficulties we face, I think that the more difficult the situation is and the more complex the issues are, the more patient and positive we should stay. No matter what happens, the goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula should never be undermined and our determination and confidence in peacefully resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogues should never be shaken. As the chair country and one of the parties to the talks, China will maintain an objective and fair position in the coming consultations, play an active role in mediation, work for peace, facilitate the talks, bring the parties' positions closer for the common goal, and make unremitting and constructive efforts toward our common goal.

IX. Could you inform us of tomorrow's meeting arrangement?

A: The heads of delegations will hold a meeting tomorrow's morning. The parties will continue their discussions on related issues. Like today, the afternoon time will be left for the parties to have bilateral consultations and engagement. We'll try our best to make arrangement for you to make interviews and report the event. Thank you for your attention to the 6-party talks.

Thank you for participating in today's briefing.