Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Kong Quan on Thursday confirmed that representatives from China, North Korea and the United States met in Beijing on Wednesday.

Kong said that China will continue to actively encourage the early resumption of talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Kong stressed that the six-party mechanism cannot be changed, neither can the ultimate goal of achieving a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula through peaceful means.

In response to a question concerning relations between Libya and Taiwan, Kong said that China appreciates the Libyan government's adherence to the one-China policy, and expects stronger Sino-Libyan ties on that basis.

Kong said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing is now in Libya and has met with Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi. Ghaddafi stated clearly that Libya will respect the one-China policy under any circumstance. His country firmly opposes "Taiwan independence", and supports China's reunification cause.

Kong reiterated that China is firmly opposed to any official contacts between Taiwan and countries with diplomatic ties with China.

"We hope these countries can properly handle the Taiwan issue in accordance with principles agreed upon with the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Kong also announced that US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick is to visit China next week.

During his three-day visit starting Monday, Zoellick will meet Chinese officials to exchange views on China-US relations and on other major international issues.

Another point of discussion is preparations for the third China-US strategic dialogue, which both sides have agreed to hold in the first half of this year, Kong said.

Both China and the US are important stakeholders in the international community and it will benefit both sides to hear what the other has to say, Zoellick was quoted by China News Service as saying, adding that maintaining contact with China is very important.

(Xinhua News Agency, China Daily January 20, 2006)