Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said Sunday that the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue should be continued despite many difficulties in the process.

At a press conference at the ongoing annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), Li said China hopes major parties to show flexibility, sincerity and patience for early resumption of the talks.

After receiving the verbal message from Chinese President Hu Jintao, the supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said they will pursue the objective for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

"The DPRK remains ready and willing to continue to participate in the six-party talks," Li said, "and it hopes that the other parties should display more sincerity."

"No matter how difficult the process is," the top diplomat said, "China always adheres to the position for making peace and facilitating the talks in an objective and impartial manner."

China pursues the objective for a nuclear-free, peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, he said, "the legitimate concerns of the DPRK should be addressed."

"The six-party talks present a realistic choice for the resolution on the nuclear issue through dialogue," Li said, adding the talks are in the interest of all the parties.

As two sovereign nations, both the United States and the DPRK should contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and confidence building, Li said.

"Peace is the most cherished," he acknowledged, "and China believes that the re-opening of the six-party talks would be conducive to peace and stability on the peninsula."

Li said China will go on developing the traditional friendship with the DPRK, but he declined to comment on whether Pyongyang has already possessed weapon-grade nuclear capacity.