China and the United States hope to start the fourth round of six-party talks on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula at an early date, according to a senior diplomats' meeting held in Beijing Monday.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei met with James Andrew Kelly, US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. They exchanged views on the nuclear issue and the six-party talks.

The two sides reiterated to stick to the direction of seeking peaceful solution through dialogue and the goal of denuclearization on the peninsular, Chinese diplomatic sources said.

They agreed to enhance communication and coordination, strive to start the fourth round of six-party talks at an early date and push forward the talks, the sources said.

Ning Fukui, Chinese ambassador on the Korean Peninsular issue, discussed with Kelly on related topics as well.

China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United States, Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan have held three rounds of such talks in Beijing since August 2003, in a bid to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

he fourth round of six-party talks is expected to start at the end of this month, according to a chairman statement issued at the third round of talks in June.

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2004)