China expressed its optimism on December 30 for hosting the next round of the six-party talks on nuclear disarmament of the Korean Peninsula, saying it will continue to push the negotiation process forward.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao attributed the failure of the fourth round of six-party talks to "political and external reasons."

"But all the parties concerned have expressed their support for the six-party talks, and the foundation and conditions for continuing the talks still exist," he said at the regular press briefing.

He cited patience, sincerity and flexibility as essential for opening a new round of talks. "China will continue to make unremitting efforts to push forward the process of six-party talks," he said.

Liu said the last two rounds of talks in 2004 started negotiations on substantial questions and reaffirmed commitments to a solution through peaceful negotiation.

The parties also agreed to take coordinated steps and follow the principles of "words for words" and "action for action," Liu said.

He said all the parties set forth proposals and plans on the issues at the talks and agreed in principle to take the first steps as soon as possible to achieve the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The first round of six-party talks was held in Beijing from Aug.27 to 29, 2003. The second and third rounds of talks were held here from Feb. 25 to 28 and June. 23 to 26, 2004.

China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Russian and the United States participated.

Source: Xinhua