China hopes a new round of six-party talks to be held as soon as possible, said China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue in Beijing Tuesday.

Zhang said the Beijing six-party talks were an important step towards a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and China hopes parties concerned make positive efforts for the continuation of the talks.

Zhang said the international community had reached the consensus on peacefully resolving the nuclear issue through dialogue and China believes this is the only way to solve the nuclear issue.

Zhang added that China and relevant parties have made diplomatic efforts for the new round of six-party talks.

(Xinhua News Agency October 29, 2003)