Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi called on all parties concerned to keep patience and exert wisdom to promote the process of the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

"China expects all parties concerned to continue to uphold sincerity, keep patience, exert wisdom and take active measures to promote the continuous progress of the six-party talks," said Yang in an written interview with Russia's Interfax news agency on Friday.

He said China hoped that all relevant parties can jointly strive for the implementation of all reached agreements in a comprehensive and balanced way and the gradual realization of the goals of the Sep. 19 joint statement.

The six-party talks have been stalled since last December due to differences between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) over the latter's declaration of nuclear programs.

Yang said though the current difficulties with the declaration delayed the second phase action plan, the general progressing momentum of the six-party talks has not been reversed, and all parties concerned were always in close contacts and coordination.

He said the six-party talks have become an important platform for talks and dialogues to enhance understanding and trust, realize denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and normalization of relations between relevant countries and build a new pattern of harmonious situation in northeast Asia.

After six rounds of talks, the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue has made its progress, including the beginning of the disablement of nuclear facilities in the DPRK, economic and energy aid to the DPRK, and improvement of relations between U.S. and the DPRK.

(Xinhua News Agency, March 23, 2008)