The second round of six-party talks in Beijing opened in Fangfeiyuan, Diaoyutai State Guest Hotel at 9:00 am on February 25, 2004. Delegations from China, the DPRK, the US, the ROK, Japan and Russia attended the meeting, with heads of delegations delivering a speech respectively.

As the host and chairman of this round of talks, Wang Yi, head of the Chinese delegation, welcomed all delegations in his opening remarks. He said all parties were expecting the second round of talks to discuss substantive issues and bear concrete results, have agreed to address their respective concerns through coordinated steps and were hoping the peace process initiated by the six-party talks to proceed further. These common grounds constitute an important basis for today's meeting.

Wang Yi stressed that the great significance of the second round of talks lies in the fact that it launches the discussion of substantive issues. This marks a new step forward of the peace-talk process. The talks will deal with issues on how to define specific objectives for the solution of the nuclear issue, explore first-phase measures toward the solution of the issue and study the way to ensure the talks to keep on. Wang Yi said the gathering of the six parties in Beijing signals the strong political aspirations of the six governments and peoples to seek peace. Our talks are aimed at enhancing consensus rather than expanding differences, at solving problems rather than intensifying conflicts. China believes all parties will recognize the mission for peace on their shoulders, show respect for each other, exert flexibility and narrow gaps with a constructive attitude and in the spirit of cooperation and understanding. As one of the major neighbors of the peninsula, we will firmly support the goal of denuclearizing the peninsula, unswervingly promote the process of the peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue and persistently safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula.

Kim Kye-gwan, head of the DPRK delegation, said that the second round of six-party talks represents an important opportunity to determine the direction of the talks. The DPRK will show flexibility to solve the issue in accordance with its consistent stance. James Kelly, head of the US delegation, said that six-party talks are a reliable channel to solve the nuclear issue and the solution to the issue is conducive to peace and prosperity on the peninsula. The US is committed to solving the nuclear issue through diplomatic channels and expects to see concrete progress coming out of the talks so that a solid foundation be laid for future peace talks. Lee Soo-hyuck, head of the ROK delegation, Mitoji Yabunaka, head of the Japanese delegation and Alexander Losiukov, head of the Russian delegation, said each delegation shoulders a heavy task and they hope all parties can further expand common grounds with a sincere and tolerant attitude and make the talks produce concrete results through candid and constructive dialogue.

All parties highly commended China for its active and important efforts in launching this round of talks and offered thanks to China, host of this round of talks.