China is conducting negotiations with all parties involved in the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue to resolve outstanding concerns and to resume the six-party talks, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu at a regular press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.

An early resumption of the talks to resolve the nuclear issue was in the interests of all concerned and would be conducive to peace and stability in northeast Asia, Jiang said.

The six-party talks, involving China, North Korea, the United States, the Republic of Korea(ROK), Russia and Japan, were halted in November last year.

China had been making strenuous efforts for the resumption of the talks at an early date, Jiang said.

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu will head a Chinese good-will delegation on a visit to North Korea from July 10-15 at the invitation of North Korean government.

Jiang said Hui would also attend events related to the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between China and North Korea.

Also on Tuesday, Jiang announced China and Japan would hold the sixth round of talks on East China Sea issues on July 8-9.

Jiang said that common development of the areas and the setting aside of disputes would help maintain peace in the East China Sea and would be conducive to the healthy development of the China-Japan relations.

China was willing to work with Japan to continue to resolve issues through dialogue and consultation, Jiang said.

The previous five rounds of talks were held between October 2004 and May this year.

When commenting on the investigative activities of some Chinese ships in the waters around the Diaoyu Islands recently, Jiang said China wouldn't accept any representations from the Japanese side assuming that the Diaoyu Islands were in their territory.

"The Diaoyu and surrounding islands have been Chinese territory since ancient times and China has indisputable sovereignty over them," Jiang said.

On the Iran nuclear issue Jiang said it was at a critical point and the pressing matter of the moment was to resume negotiations as early as possible.

China hoped both Iran and other relevant parties could create favorable conditions for the resumption of negotiations, said Jiang.

"We hope Iran can take the concerns of the international community into consideration and deliver an early response to the proposals aimed at resolving the nuclear issue," she said.

Jiang also called for other relevant parties to be patient and restrained, seriously consider Iran's rational concerns and to make contact with the Iranian side.

Any discussions on the nuclear issue should help the international community achieve consensus and promote a proper solution of the issue through diplomatic negotiations, Jiang said.

In response to a reporter's question about Mexico's general elections, Jiang said that China always attached great importance to Sino-Mexican relations highlighting that the bilateral cooperative relations of mutual benefit progressed well since the two nations forged diplomatic relations 34 years ago.

She vowed to join hands with Mexico to further the bilateral friendly and cooperative relations.

Voters went to the polls on Sunday in Mexico's presidential and congressional elections to choose 500 deputies, 128 senators and a new president whose term will run from December 1, 2006 to 2012.Voters would also choose three state governors and more than 100 mayors including that of Mexico City.

Mexico's presidential election results would not be announced at least until Wednesday Mexican electoral authorities said Sunday.

In another development, Jiang Tuesday expressed her deep concerns over the worsening situation in the Middle East urging Palestine and Israel to exercise restraint and create favorable conditions to cool down the conflicts.

"China calls for Israel to remain restrained and cease the military actions immediately and the Palestinian side to positively coordinate the diplomatic efforts from various concerned parties to release the hostage as early as possible," Jiang said.

Israel launched the operation of "Summer Rain" early Wednesday after two days of unfruitful international mediation over the release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Palestinian soldiers, in an attack on a military position near the Gaza border on Sunday morning.

On state visits, an envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao will pay a visit to Mongolia at the invitation of Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar, Jiang said.

Xu Kuangdi, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, will visit Mongolia from July 10-13. He'll also attend a commemorative event marking the 800th anniversary of the "Great Mongolia".

Spanish Crown Prince Felipe de Borbon y Grecia will pay an official visit to China from July 12-14S as a guest of Chinese vice President Zeng Qinghong, announced Jiang.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2006)