On February 24, 2004, China's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Dai Bingguo held a reception at Diaoyutai State Guest House to welcome the delegations to the second round of six-party talks in Beijing.

Dai Bingguo expressed his warm welcome to the delegations in a speech on behalf the Chinese government. He said that the upcoming six-party talks would open tomorrow, with the international community keeping a close eye on us and expecting fruits born from the meeting. He said, "the work we are undertaking is arduous yet of great significance. Where there is will, there is a way. As long as all parties give top priority to the lofty cause of peace and development, show sincerity and remain patient to the largest extent, conduct consultations on an equal footing with sense and in a constructive and calm manner, we will surely be able to nurture trust, narrow differences, expand consensus and ensure the nuclear issue will follow the path of peaceful settlement until the final peaceful resolution is arrived at."

Members of delegations from China, the DPRK, the US, the ROK, Japan and Russia as well as foreign diplomatic envoys to China attended the reception.