A Chinese spokesman Friday called on "the parties concerned" to continue to take positive measures to promote the six-party talks.

"We hope the parties concerned will continue to adopt positive measures and implement the initial steps in a comprehensive and balanced manner", spokesman Qin Gang said in a written news statement.

Qin made the remarks following a report that Banco Delta Asia (BDA), a Macao-based bank, has almost completed the transfer of DPRK money worth over 20 million U.S. dollars out of Macao.

"The BDA issue has progressed well and China appreciates the constructive efforts made by the parties concerned", Qin said in the statement.

Under an agreement adopted by the six parties during the most recent talks on Feb. 13, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was supposed to shut down and seal off the Yongbyon facilities within 60 days in exchange for 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil or equivalent aid.

The DPRK, which missed the April 14 deadline, insisted that its 25 million dollars frozen at the BDA must be returned before closing Yongbyon facilities and starting new negotiations.

The DPRK funds were frozen after the United States blacklisted the bank in September 2005 for allegedly helping Pyongyang launder money, an allegation denied by the bank.

Pyongyang also denies the U.S. charges.

Source: Xinhua