Chinese delegation head and Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Beijing Wednesday that two major topics related to realizing a nuclear weapon-free Korean Peninsula will be discussed during the third round of six-party talks.

Wang made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the new round of six-party talks that started at 3:00 pm Wednesday in Beijing.

The six-party talks have entered the stage of substantial discussion on specific topics, said Wang, and this round of talks will discuss in depth two substantial topics.

According to Wang, one topic is how to realize a nuclear weapon-free Korean Peninsula, including ways to abandon nuclear programs and solve the concerns of all parties.

The other topic is how to make the first step towards the nuclear weapon-free goal, including freezing of nuclear facilities and relevant steps taken by other parties.

Wang said that though all parties have different stances on these substantial topics, the opening of this new round of talks means that all parties want to seize the opportunity of peace, unwilling to see a Peninsula covered by the shadow of cold war.

All parties have shown their clear political willingness and flexible attitude on reaching consensus over the issue, which marks a first step towards solving the issue, said Wang.

Wang said that during the past year, the Chinese side initiated and continued the peaceful process of resolving the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula, aiming to realize a peaceful and stable Peninsula.

Wang said though the peaceful process is confronted with many difficulties now, the parties concerned have jointly fixed the goal of a nuclear weapon-free Korean Peninsula, setting up channels of solving the issue and avoiding further worsening of the situation.

Wang said it is not an easy process to ease the situation, and therefore all parties should safeguard and treasure the results achieved through their joint efforts.

Wang said the Chinese side will make continuous efforts for the peaceful process of the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula and further the cooperation with all parties concerned.

At the end of the opening ceremony, Wang also strongly condemned the killing of the hostage from the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Iraq, expressing his sorrow over the death and his condolences to the family of the victim.

Wang also condemned the terrorist attack in Russia, and expressed his welcome to the new head of the Russian delegation dispatched to the six-party talks.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2004)