China hopes all parties, especially the major ones, show sincerity and flexibility in the coming third round of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, said the Chinese delegation head Wang Yi in Beijing Tuesday.

Various sides should work to find reasonable solutions acceptable to all parties and to make the first step to realize a nuclear-weapon-free Korean Peninsula as soon as possible, he said.

Wang, also Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, made the remarks just one day prior to the opening of the third round of six-party talks scheduled to run from Wednesday to Saturday.

He said that China's role is to make active efforts to mediate and push forward peaceful talks with an objective and just position.

As the host nation, China welcomes and supports all efforts that are conducive to dialogues and talks, Wang said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2004)