Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

First of all, on behalf of my colleagues and in my own name, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you for covering the second round of six-party talks in Beijing. Hopefully our press and media services have not failed your expectations.

Today saw the first day's session of this round of talks, so I believe all of you have watched the opening ceremony on television, which I will not dwell on accordingly.

The opening ceremony was followed by a plenary session. It lasted four hours with only a ten-minute break and was wrapped up at 1:30 pm. The plenary session heard speeches by heads of the delegations and their positions on the objective of resolving the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula. The speeches have been sober and pragmatic. Despite some differences, consensuses have been reached, which includes the following aspects:

The six parties believed that the nuclear issue should be resolved through peaceful means and the peace-talk process should keep on going regardless of any difficulties.

The six parties reaffirmed the objective of denuclearization, believing that the realization of the objective serves the fundamental interests of the countries involved and conducive to peace, stability and prosperity of Northeast Asia.

The six parties agreed to adopt coordinated and consistent measures to address the nuclear issue and each other's concerns, believing that taking actions is the best way to establish trust.

The parties involved also held preliminary discussions on substantive issues and presented their respective suggestions.

The parties had direct engagements this afternoon. I would also like to inform you that Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will hold a banquet for heads and major members of the delegations in Diaoyutai State Guest Hotel at 7:00 pm tonight. Tomorrow State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan will meet with heads of each delegation and the six-party talks will begin a new round of plenary session.

Now the floor is open for questions.

People's Daily: You mentioned just now that the delegations put forward some proposals during the talks. It is alleged that the ROK delegation suggested holding a six-party talks every 2 months. Please verify whether it is true.

A: I did mention just now that the delegations put forward some suggestions during the talks. Those include the suggestion by the ROK delegation that you have talked about just now. However, as to how the six-party talks shall proceed, it still calls for further consultations among the parties.

Die Welt of Germany: US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly indicated this morning that the DPRK should give up its both plutonium-based and uranium-based nuclear development programmes. What are the reactions to that from the DPRK? Can you give us some information on the bilateral contact between the US and the DPRK this afternoon?

A: During today's morning session, the parties illustrated their respective attitudes and held discussions on some specific issues. Since the talks are still going on at this moment, I am not in a position to give you information on the specific issues. As for your second question, the bilateral contact between the US and the DPRK has begun but I am not informed of the specifics.

Beijing TV Station: Is the atmosphere of this round of talks better than that of the first round?

A: It's hard to make a simple comparison. The first round represented a good start of the process of settling the nuclear issue peacefully. During the 6 months in the wake of the first round of talks, the parties have kept close contact and consultations with each other and have got a clearer and deeper understanding of each other's stances and problems. Now that the conditions for substantive discussions are ripe and other bases have been laid down, this round of talks begin to touch upon substantive issues. Therefore, the difference, in my view, between the first and the second rounds of talks lies in the beginning of talks on substantive issues. For example, this morning, the parties mainly held discussions around the objectives for the settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. They have been earnest, pragmatic, candid and sober in their speeches and remarks.

Kyodo News of Japan: What are the opinions and suggestions put forward by the Chinese delegation during the talks this morning?

A: Head of the Chinese delegation Wang Yi expounded China's stance during the talks. He said that China is committed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as in the region. Based on this principled stance, China has always supported the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and does not agree to the emergence of nuclear weapons on the peninsula. He also stressed that China deems the peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue in the fundamental interests of all the parties and does not agree to use sanctions, blockades or pressures. China is even more strongly opposed to resorting to force or threat of force. He also noted that when looking for solutions to the problems, equal consideration should be given to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and addressing the security concerns of the DPRK.

The Straits Times of Singapore: According to sources of the ROK, the DPRK reiterated its consistent stance when speaking of the issue related to enriched uranium. Can you give us an introduction to remarks made by the DPRK? In addition, you have mentioned just now that the six-party talks will continue despite the problems and difficulties. Does that mean that the process of six-party talks will become a mechanism?

A: As to what the DPRK has said during the talks, please raise the question to the country in point. What I can verify is that the issue of enriched uranium has been touched upon. As for the second question, all the delegations agreed that to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue is the best possible way. All the delegations hope that mechanisms like the six-party talks can keep going on. Head of delegation of the US James Kelly also indicated that the six-party talks are the best reliable channel for the settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Nihon Keizai Shimbun of Japan: Has Japan engaged with the DPRK? If yes, can you give an introduction in this regard?

A: To my knowledge, members of the delegation of Japan will also hold a briefing at 10 p.m. this evening. You'd better leave this question for them given the fact that I am not informed whether they have had talks.

CCTV: I have two questions. At today's opening ceremony, in addition to offering thanks to China for its efforts which have made the second round of talks a reality, heads of delegations also expressed willingness to cooperate. During the ensuing closed-door discussions, have the parties, particularly the US and the DPRK, shown more flexibility compared with the first round of talks? Moreover, you have mentioned just now that the parties held discussions on some substantive issues and made some progress. Can you give us a detailed introduction?

A: Before the talks started, including at the opening ceremony, all the parties, including the DPRK and the US, expressed willingness to show flexibility during the talks, indicating that concerted efforts would made it possible for the talks, which had entered the stage of discussions of substantial issues, to make concrete progress. I have made an introduction to the initial consensus reached by the parties at the meeting this morning and have nothing to add.

Interfax of Russia: Which delegations did the Russian delegation meet with this afternoon? What are the results of the meetings?

A: Please ask for related information from the Russian side.

Jinghua Time: Given the progress of today's talks, how likely will a joint statement come out of the talks?

A: The talks have touched upon the possible joint document. During the talks within days to come, the parties will hold further discussions on some specific issues. As far as China is concerned, we want a good document.

BBC: You have just now mentioned that China hopes the Korean Peninsula will be nuclear-free. Do you think that the issue of enriched uranium must be discussed to achieve that goal? Do you think that the talks will be meaningless if this issue is not mentioned?

A: Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a very broad concept. It means that no nuclear weapons shall emerge from the Korean Peninsula. The parties have been open to specific issues related to the denuclearization. The parties are open to discuss any issue that can be discussed, but hold that the talks should not be confined to a single question, given the number of issues to discuss. The talks have been important. The crux of the problem is how to make denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula an ultimate reality while addressing reasonable concerns of the parties accordingly.

TV Asahi Japan: Have today's talks touched upon the abduction issue between Japan and the DPRK? If yes, what are the reactions from the DPRK?

A: Some delegations mentioned this issue.

Jiefang Daily: You said just now that China hopes the Korean Peninsula will be nuclear-free while at the same time reasonable security concerns of some countries should also be addressed. What do you think the crux of the problem lies in?

A: Denuclearization and reasonable security concerns of the DPRK are correlated. The talks should give equal consideration to them in resolving the problems. Of course, these problems are quite complicated, which call for in-depth discussions by the parties on how to resolve them and what steps should be taken.

China Radio International: Prior to the talks, Vice Minister Wang Yi and members of the DPRK and the ROK delegations all mentioned the issue of the "first-phase actions and measures". Can you tell us the specific content and phaseal objectives meant by the "first-phase actions and measures"?

A: One of the hallmarks of this round of talks is that the parties should first set the objective of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and discuss how to take the first steps. During the talks wthin days to come, the parties will continue to discuss these issues. Hopefully, I can give you more information at that time.

The Christian Science Monitor: I have two questions. First, during the talks today, have the parties suggested establishing a working group. If yes, what are the respective responsibilities of its members? Second, are the parties open to the duration of the talks? When will the talks be concluded?

A: As to the first question on working group, some parties have raised this suggestion. Other parties also believe that establishing a working group is necessary for the continuation of the peace-talk process. Issues in this regard will be further discussed in ensuing talks. As to the duration of the talks, the date of conclusion has not been set yet, which will depend on the progress of the talks.

Dongfang Morning Post: Are the "first-phase actions and measures" you mentioned just now based on the first-phase steps proposed in the three-phase blue print drawn by the ROK? Does China agree to it? What are the reactions from other parties?

A: We attach great importance to related suggestions made by the ROK. As I have mentioned, as the talks are still going on, the issues will be further discussed. I hope that with the progress of the talks, I can give you more information in this regard.

Wall Street Journal: The ROK indicated that if the DPRK agrees to freeze its nuclear program, the ROK is willing to make appropriate compensations for it while the US said it would not do so. I would like to know China's stance on this issue. If compensations are to be made, in what forms?

A: First, I would like to clarify that I have not heard the remarks by the US that you mentioned when I was at the meeting. I have mentioned just now that the six parties are all willing to take coordinated steps to resolve the nuclear issue and address related concerns at the same time. The issue of assistance has been touched upon during the talks.

That concludes today's press conference. Thank you.