China says brisk diplomacy helpful to resume six-party talks

China on Tuesday said the brisk diplomatic efforts on the Korean nuclear issue were helpful to resume the six-party talks.

"We believe the frequent and extensive meetings following the December six-party talks are good for the next phase of the talks, " Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said.

Liu's comments came amid the meetings between the chief negotiators to the six-party talks, which involve China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United States, the Republic of Korea(ROK), Russia and Japan.

Chief U.S. negotiator Christopher Hill visited China on Sunday and Monday. Senior DPRK envoy Kim Kye Gwan arrived in Beijing on Monday.

Both Hill and Kim met with their Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei, briefing Wu on DPRK-U.S. meetings in Berlin last week.

Wu, who met with the ROK envoy Chun Yung-woo on Tuesday, is scheduled to meet with Japan's representative Kenichiro Sasae on Wednesday.

The whirl of diplomacy has raised expectations that the six-party talks could resume soon, but the spokesman did not announce the date.

"The parties are hoping for an early resumption of the talks," Liu said.

All parties also hoped for progress on implementing a September 2005 joint statement, in which the DPRK agreed to abandon its nuclear program in exchange for economic aid and security guarantees.

"As long as all parties keep constructive and cooperative attitudes, the six-party talks will restart soon and substantive steps will be taken towards implementing the joint statement," Liu said.