The fourth round of the Six-Party Talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue are nearing an end, the Chinese delegation spokesman said Sunday.

"The talks are nearing an end and will continue on Monday," said spokesman Liu Jianchao without giving a timetable.

That means the talks will extend to a seventh day as negotiators are struggling over a joint document.

China set forth a new draft common document on Friday, which involves the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) right to civilian nuclear programmes and a light-water nuclear reactor.

If passed, the document will be the first of its kind since Six-Party Talks began in 2003.

The chief delegates met twice Sunday morning and exchanged views on the Chinese-proposed amendment to the fourth draft of the joint document.

Japanese chief negotiator Kenichiro Sasae said the delegates were studying the draft. "I believe there is a possibility of reaching an agreement," he told reporters. "Talks are in the direction of advancing now more than they were Sunday."

US chief negotiator Christopher Hill said Sunday he expected to fly home from talks in Beijing after a full plenary meeting this morning, yet he still held out the possibility of an agreement.

"I can't say at this point how this is going to end up or whether we are optimistic or pessimistic, except to say that I don't think it is going to go much beyond tomorrow morning," he told reporters. "I know that I expect to be leaving tomorrow afternoon."

He described the China draft as an effort to bridge the differences between the parties involved.

"I think it is a good deal for everybody, especially for the DPRK," Hill said, adding Washington could not accept a vague statement of principle that would leave tough issues for later.

The DPRK maintained a firm stance on its demand for light-water nuclear reactors on Friday after the proposal was put forward, saying Pyongyang would not give up its nuclear programme without concessions by the US.

It also said the light-water reactors are open to joint management and international inspections.

Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo hosted a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet for the chief delegates on Saturday night, saying the draft is the most realistic scenario for the parties to reach a consensus on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Source: China Daily/agencies