Sorry to keep you waiting. The afternoon meeting of the heads of delegations just concluded. Prior to the meeting, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with the heads of delegations. Li stressed that the Joint Statement is important progress of the six-party talks. It considers the concerns of all parties and deserves to be cherished. Li also added that new consensus was reached based on the arduous efforts of the parties over the past few days. First, all parties reaffirmed their adherence to the September 19 Joint Statement. Second, all parties reaffirmed their positions of peacefully resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogues. Third, all parties reaffirmed their adherence to the common goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. I hope that all parties could continue to exploit their political wisdom and creativity in the coming days so as to gradually build up trust, expand consensus, and achieve positive results. Now I'd like to take your questions.

Q1: Can you tell us in what aspects the new consensus mentioned by Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing is reflected?

A: The parties worked very hard for the past few days and reached some new consensus. First, all parties reaffirmed their adherence to the September 19 Joint Statement. Second, all parties reaffirmed their positions of peacefully resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogues. Third, all parties reaffirmed their adherence to the common goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.

Q2: What's your comment on the progress achieved by the meetings over the past three days?

A: The talks have lasted three days. The negotiations are deepening. The focus of negotiations is getting clear and the consensus is expanding.

Q3: It is reported that China proposed to set up 5 working groups. Could you please confirm on that? If the parties have reached consensus on this, how are they going to work?

A: It's not accurate to say that the proposal was put forward by China. For the past few days, all parties have put forward their suggestions on the concrete measures for the implementation of the Joint Statement. Some are similar. As for whether it's necessary to set up working groups and what working groups should be established, the parties still need to have in-depth discussions over it.

Q4: Bilateral consultations were conducted on the morning and the meeting of the heads of delegations was held on the afternoon. Why does today's arrangement differ from the past? What progress has been made with the consultations between DPRK and the United States on the nuclear and financial matters?

A: The meeting arrangement for the past three days is a combination of plenary sessions, the meetings of the heads of delegations and bilateral engagements. Up to now, 24 bilateral consultations have been held at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. With respect to the morning's meeting arrangement, I'd like to say that our goal is to offer more time for the parties to have face-to-face engagements and deepen their understanding and more opportunities for the parties to have direct communications and exchange opinions

DPRK and the United State have engaged with each other for two days in Beijing. This is a positive sign for the improvement of bilateral relations. We welcome it.

Q5: Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with the heads of delegations successively for the past few days. The ranks of officials are moving a higher level. Does that indicate China has intensified the mediation efforts?

A: As the chair country of the 6-party talks, we strive to play a positive and constructive role in strengthening the understanding between the parties and work for our common goal. In this afternoon's meeting, the heads of delegations expressed their appreciation for the important role China played as the chair country in resuming and advancing the talks.

Q6: Is the closing ceremony of this phase of 6-party talks going to be held tomorrow as planned?

A: Just as I told you before, we haven't fixed an ending date for the talks. At the afternoon's meeting, which just wound up, the heads of delegations agreed to continue the talks tomorrow.

Q7: Have DPRK and Japan held bilateral meetings?

A: All the bilateral consultations taking place in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse have been published at the International Press Center. I've no idea of the bilateral engagements taking place outside Diaoyutai.

Q8: It is reported that Mr. Hill put forward a 4-step plan for DPRK to give up its nuclear program during the bilateral meeting with DPRK. Have DPRK responded to US's plan in today's meeting?

A: All parties have indicated their positions and concerns and have conducted intensive engagements and in-depth consultations. The focus of negotiations is clear. What the six parties need now is to reach consensus, which requires all parties to take each other's concerns into full consideration, care for each other's interest, and find the converging points of common interest.

Q9: Can you inform us of tomorrow's agenda? What is the prospect of the talks?

A: I haven't got tomorrow's meeting agenda. Once we get it, we'll publish it in the International Press Center.

In the afternoon's meeting, the heads of delegations expressed that the resumption of six-party talks is of great significance and the international community also pays close attention to the process of this round of talks. The heads of delegations shoulder a formidable and important responsibility. The parties indicated that they would make further efforts to overcome difficulties on the way forward and make the talks achieve positive results. Judging from the current situation, progress has been made. First, the six-party talks are resumed. Second, the parties reaffirmed their adherence to the September 19 Joint Statement, their positions of peacefully resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogues, and their adherence to the common goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. Third, the parties expressed the will to continue the talks.

Q10: Did today's meeting of the heads of delegations discuss the drafting of a joint document?

A: The parties have indicated their positions and concerns. The meetings now enter a phase of reaching consensus through discussions. The parties need to find converging points of common interest. Only in this way, can the six-party talks reach consensus.

Q11: What are China's comments on the kidnapping mentioned by Japan?

A: We think the parties concerned should resolve each other's concerns through dialogues and take concrete measures to improve relations in line with the spirit of the September 19 Joint Statement.

Q12: It is reported that this phase of talks will close this week and reopen next January. Could you please confirm on that?

A: The parties have agreed to continue consultations tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Probably you may get the answer the day after tomorrow.

Q13: The parties have put forward their suggestions on the implementation of the Joint Statement. Can you specify what China's suggestions are?

A: China did put forward suggestions on how to implement the Joint Statement on the basis of extensive discussions and consultations with the other parties. Now what we should pay attention to should not be what suggestions China or any other parties put forward. What's important is the common position of the six parties. Only in this way, can the 6-party talks reach consensus.

Q14: Could you tell us what progress has been made with the consultations between DPRK and the United State on financial matters. It is reported that DPRK indicated that if the United States continued to exert pressure, DPRK will respond strongly. Could you confirm on that?

A: DPRK and the United States have conducted consultations on financial matters in Beijing for two successive days. We believe that this is a good start. We hope that the two parties attach most importance to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and properly handle related issues through bilateral consultations as early as possible.

Q15: Do you think the consultations on financial matters outside Diaoyutai State Guesthouse are consultations within the framework of the six-party talks?

A: As far as I know, the related consultations were conducted at the U.S. embassy yesterday and at the Korean embassy today. These locations were agreed by the two parties. Our attitude is that we hope that the two parties properly handle the issue through bilateral consultations.

Q16: Could you inform us of the meeting agenda for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow?

A: The meeting arrangement for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow should be the same as the past few days. The bilateral and multilateral meetings will be held in turn. The specific arrangement will be timely published here at the International Press Center.

Thank you for attending the briefing.