All sides of the six-party talks welcome the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's proposal to stop its nuclear program, said Liu Jianchao, a Chinese diplomat in Beijing Thursday afternoon.

All sides consider such a move "an important step toward its nuclear dismantlement," he said at a press briefing. Liu is a member of the Chinese delegation to the on-going nuke talks.

All sides "understand the relevant requirements raised by DPRK," he added.

The Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) put forward a proposal of complete stop of nuclear program while the six parties were discussing the first-phase actions and relevant measures to realize a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula during the morning talks, according to Liu who is also deputy director-general of the Information Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

As for the detailed arrangement for stopping nuclear program, the parties concerned would have further discussions, he said.

At the press briefing, Liu also said that China is willing, under the principle that if all the sides could reach an agreement on the energy aids questions, to offer energy aids to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea together with other related sides.

He added that related parties have made tentative discussions on energy aids to the DPRK during Thursday's talks.

(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2003)