The six-party talks on the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue is set to start at 10:00 AM Wednesday morning at Beijing Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

The new round of talks, involving China, the US, Russia, Japan, South and North Korea, is expected to focus on how to implement the joint statement issued at the end of the fourth round of talks in September.

It is for the first time that the parties concerned hold the talks as scheduled, which observers say indicated the willingness of the parties concerned to push forward the negotiation.

This round of talks is expected to be held in phases and the first phase might last for three days.

More than 100 overseas correspondents have registered to cover the fifth round of talks.

(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2005)