Qin Gang, spokesman of the Chinese delegation, responds to journalists at a press briefing in Beijing, capital of China, on August 4, 2005. The fourth round of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue will continue on Friday, according to the spokesman. (Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- The fourth round of the six-party talks will continue on Friday, spokesman of the Chinese delegation Qin Gang said here Thursday.

    "I can assure you that the talks will enter the 11th day," Qin said at a news briefing, adding "there is no sign of a breakdown of the current talks."

    Qin said it was quite common that the participants had differences during the negotiation, but all the negotiators managed to listen to the other sides calmly.

    The six parties had deepened mutual understanding over the pastdays, which was "the biggest achievement" of the fourth round of the talks compared with the previous three rounds, the spokesman said.

    The negotiators had exchanged views on the key issues, "which itself is a progress," he added.

    He stressed it was not up to China but the attitude of every party to decide whether the talks would come to an end.

    The spokesman did not disclose the contents of the draft common document proposed by the Chinese delegation, which all the parties involved have been discussing over the past few days.

    "The signing of a common document is also an option," he said.

    "The six-party talks is a process and there is a long way to goto realize denulcearization of the Korean Peninsula, which requires unremitting efforts."

    Qin said it was "too high" expectations that all the problems related to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue could be resolved injust a few days.

    "We must neither be too optimistic nor too pessimistic."

    The six parties have held 72 bilateral consultations since the current round of talks started on July 26, which exceeded the total number of bilateral meetings held during the previous three rounds.

    Qin said the Chinese delegation had 14 one-on-one consultations with the Untied States, 11 with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), seven with Japan, six with Russia and four with the Republic of Korea.

    It was reported that the DPRK and the United States had held eight one-on-one meetings over the past 10 days.

    The two might possibly meet again, said Qin. "All the parties are very patient...they can contact with each other at any time and in any form."

    The Chinese spokesman acknowledged that the negotiators did notreach agreement on all issues. "There remain differences, and someare quite outstanding," he said.

    "All parties need to demonstrate flexibility and make more efforts," Qin added. Enditem