On February 28, the second round of the six-party talks was concluded at Diaoyutai State Guest Hotel in Beijing. Present at the closing ceremony were delegations from China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan and Russia. The closing ceremony was chaired by head of the Chinese delegation Wang Yi. Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing attended the ceremony and delivered a speech.

Li Zhaoxing said that the significance of this round of talks lies in the launching of talks on substantive issues, a step forward toward the objective of making the Korean Peninsula nuclear-free. During the talks, the parties held in-depth and constructive discussions, explored solutions and corresponding measures of the issue with wisdom and sense, put forward valuable proposals and made positive policy indications. The fruitful results achieved by the talks, the consensus on the next round of talks and the consensus on the establishment of a working group in particular, are of great significance to the deepening of the peace-talk process.

He said that the international community has placed high hopes on the talks. There may be people who think that the good results of the talks are not enough and that the process is not as fast. In my eyes, since the talks have been launched in the context of lack of mutual trust and expanding differences in positions, to achieve the results has been no easy job but the crystallization of the wisdom and hard work of everyone. The results reflected the political will of the parties to promote the peace-talk process, which we should cherish and congratulate ourselves upon.

He noted that the nuclear issue of the peninsula has been interwoven by a legion of problems today or left over from history. Currently differences still remain, with some being very serious. No sensible man will expect a thorough solution through one or two talks, because good results never come easy. However, the will of people is much heavier than mountains, and people want peace. To pursue the lofty mission of peace, it is both worthwhile and honorable for us to keep working hard, sometimes even forgetting all about food and sleep. He hopes that the parties, in recognition of their differences, will narrow those differences and expand consensus in a constructive attitude so as to jointly blaze a trail that leads to the solution of the issue through dialogue.

Li Zhaoxing said spring is a season full of hopes. However, the seeds sown in spring need to be taken good care of, otherwise they will not be able to grow in hot summer and be reaped in golden autumn. The road is long and bumpy. But time is on our side, the side of peace. I wish you a cheerful spring, a passionate summer, a fruitful autumn and a rejoicing winter. Time is so wonderful, with years seemingly short and moments eternal. The three days that we have spent together in Diaoyutai is rich and unforgettable. So let us cherish the progress made, stick to the peace-talk process and settlement through dialogue, regardless of any difficulties or twists and turns, and make unremitting efforts to compose a new chapter of reconciliation and cooperation.

Heads of delegations said in their speeches that the parties held sincere, practical and substantive discussions during the talks and reached important consensuses, which are of great significance to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and promoting peace and stability in Northeast Asia. The parties also hold that while it is natural to have differences, the objectives of the talks will be achieved so long as patience is maintained and efforts are intensified.

The parties have also spoken highly of the role that China has played in the talks, expressing gratitude to it for the careful arrangements it has made.

The second round of six-party talks in Beijing opened in Fangfeiyuan of Diaoyutai State Guest Hotel on February 25 2004, with its predecessor held from August 27 to 29 last year also in Beijing.