Wu Dawei, Chinese chief negotiator speaks during the press conference held after the chief negotiators' meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, August 7, 2005. (Xinhua photo)

    BEIJING, Aug. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese delegation head Wu Dawei said on Sunday morning that he did not think a three-week break would dampen the momentum of the current round of six-party talks.

    Wu, also Chinese vice foreign ministry, said that the six nations have reached a lot of consensuses during the first-phase of the current round of talks on the basis of the previous three rounds.

    "Doubtless, there are still differences in some important issues among the delegations,"Wu said. "But the fact that they agreed to resume the talks three weeks later signalizes they do not fear the differences."

    All the six parties to the fourth round of the Korean nuclear issue talks agreed to take a recess and resume the talks in the week that begins on Aug. 29, Wu said in a chairman's statement read at a press conference on Sunday morning.

    The Russian delegation left Beijing Sunday noon for Moscow after the chief negotiators' meeting held in the morning.

    According to Wu, the six parties -- China, the Democratic People' Republic of China, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan -- agreed to take a three-week recess so that they can go back to report to their respective governments, further study each other's positions and resolve differences whichstill exist.

    "The specific date of resumption is yet to be set," added Wu, also Chinese vice foreign minister.

    During the break, all the parties will keep mutual communication and continue consultations.

Wu Dawei (R), Chinese chief negotiator shakes hands with Christopher Hill, head of the United States delegation after the chief negotiators' meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, August 7. (Xinhua photo)

    The general goal of the six-nation talks is to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner. "This is the consensus reached by the six delegations," said Wu.

    Since the fourth round of the talks began 13 days ago, the six parties have been working on a roadmap for the denuclearization ofthe Korean Peninsula.

    "If we are climbing a mountain, we've already seen the peak of it. Now we decide to take a recess so that we can reach the peak more smoothly," Wu said, adding "This is a positive outcome of thefirst phase of the current round of talks."

    He also expressed the belief the six parties would one day reach an agreement on the common document though he could not say for sure when the six parties would reach the agreement, nor they could reach the agreement after the resumption of the talks late this month.

    "But I believe that one day they will eventually reach the agreement."

    Wu noted that whether or not a common document will come into being doest not necessarily be considered an indicator to measure whether the talks is a success or a failure.

    The basic principles of the six-way talks is to reach a consensus through consultations. That is to say, "all the delegations should reach an agreement on all issues involved, and any side of the six has a veto," added Wu.

    "The concerns of any of the six should be those of all the parties. Only when we solve all concerns of the six parties, can we reach an agreement."

    In response to a question about the inclusion of the abduction issue in the six-party talks, Wu said the talks focus on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and other issues could be resolved through other channels.

    This is the consistent stance of the Chinese side, which has also been respected and understood by the Japanese side. Enditem