The second phase of the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue entered its fifth day on Saturday, as the concerned parties are expected to discuss a draft joint document proposed by China.

According to the press center of the Chinese delegation, the chief negotiators of the six countries will hold a meeting later on Saturday.

Chief Russian envoy Alexander Alexeyev told reporters on Friday that the joint document covers North Korea’s right to civilian nuclear programs and a light-water reactor.

The draft joint document put forward by China "is acceptable to all parties," Alexeyev said.

Alexeyev said that if the joint document couldn't be adopted on Saturday, a recess is likely to be announced.

The talks got deadlocked on Wednesday due to the differences between North Korea and the United States.

The first three rounds of the six-party talks ended inconclusively. The fourth round began in late July, and resumed on Tuesday after a five-week recess.

(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2005)