On December 20, 2006, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with the heads of all delegations to the second phase of the fifth round of six-party talks at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

Li noted that it was really not easy to resume the six-party talks after a stalemate of more than one year. Li pointed out that it was in the interest of all parties and conformed to the aspirations of the world to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue through negotiations within the framework of the six-party talks, to realize denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and to achieve lasting peace on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

Li said the joint statement issued during the fourth round of six-party talks was a significant achievement of the previous rounds of six-party talks, calling it "taking the concerns of all parties and deserving to be cherished". He said that to realize mutual benefits, the urgent priorities for all the parties at this moment were to roll out plans for carrying out the joint statement and take down-to-earth actions to fulfill their commitments made in the statement.

"New consensus has been reached in the resumed talks thanks to all parties' arduous efforts," Li said. The fresh consensus, as Li said, included that all parties reiterated the implementation of the September joint statement, peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and the adherence to the common target of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. Li said he hoped relevant parties to give full play of their political wisdom and innovation spirit, accumulate trust and expand consensus in a gradual manner. Li pledged China will keep close contact and cooperation will all other parties to push for positive progress of the talks.

Stressing the great significance of the resumed six-party talks, the heads of delegations said that the international community is paying close attention to the process of the talks and all the delegations shoulder arduous yet important tasks. They agreed to make joint efforts, overcome difficulties and further the talks for substantive progress. All parties appreciated host China's key role in resuming the talks and pushing for their results.