Diplomats of China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) met in Beijing Tuesday to discuss the schedule of the upcoming second round of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue, ROK sources said.  

Chinese and ROK delegations for the talks discussed the schedule and the ways to resolve some core questions during their 40-minute meeting in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in central Beijing Tuesday afternoon.

The ROK appreciates China's tremendous efforts in resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsular, Lee Soo-Hyuck, ROK deputy minister of foreign affairs and trade, was quoted as saying.

Lee told Chinese head of delegation and Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the progress of handling the issue was as important as the final result.

The delegations came to Beijing again for the ultimate goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsular, and would make joint efforts to resolve the issue, Lee said.

Wang Yi was quoted by the ROK sources as saying that the communication between China and ROK in both the first and second round of six-party talks was very important.

ROK had played a "positive and constructive" role in the six-party talks and also had a "unique and irreplaceable" role in settling the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsular.

The second round of six-party talks, involving China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, are scheduled to start on Feb.25.

The first round of talks was held in Beijing last August.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2004)