The second round of six-party Beijing talks, which started Wednesday, has captured world attention.

Expectations are riding high for a positive outcome from the forum, involving China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States.

Returning to the negotiation table and talking face-to-face have not come easy. The meeting itself has given out a positive signal.

It bears testimony to each party's commitment to pursuing a peaceful resolution to the nuclear stalemate on the Korean Peninsula, following the first round of talks held here in August.

In hopes of carrying forward peace talks, the current round is expected to cover concrete goals and the direction needed to solve the issue, the first-phase measures for resolving the crisis and the approaches to continue negotiations.

In the opening session of the new round of talks, all parties expressed a willingness to work together to unravel the impasse.

A Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons is crucial not only to the security and stability of Northeast Asia but to the whole world.

It is in the interest of all parties involved to seize the opportunity and strive for narrowing differences effectively to resolve the mater through peaceful means as early as possible.

It may be too early to expect a breakthrough from the new round of talks. But that the position of each party is clearer is positive.

To push for substantial results in the peace talks, it is imperative, in particular, to cultivate a sense of mutual trust between the United States and the DPRK.

As the host of the six-way talks, China has remained in close contact with the two sides and others involved, and carried out several rounds of constructive diplomatic mediation since March to broker the peace forum.

It is hoped the second round will lead to a consensus in the form of a joint document.

It is imperative that all parties concerned are mindful that a renewed commitment should be made to address other's concerns while putting forth their own propositions, which is conducive to fostering real dialogue that could translate into a final consensus.

Given the complex historical background and serious nature of the issue, the latest talks are but one step in a series of tough rounds of negotiation.

How to bridge the gap in the basic positions of the different parties, especially the DPRK and the United States, needs political will and wisdom.

More specifically, who goes first to cut the Gordian knot is the focus of the discussions.

As an effective approach to improving understanding between the countries involved and pushing for a resolution, the multilateral consultation framework of the six-way talks should be formulized as a mechanism which serves the interests of all concerned.

A solution may be in sight as long as all sides work together through peaceful negotiations, while adopting a pragmatic and tolerant approach, and showing sincerity and flexibility for cooperation.

(China Daily February 26, 2004)