The Six-Party Talks' chief delegates will meet in Beijing on Wednesday to push forward the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said yesterday.
They will discuss "the implementation of the initial agreements, as well as arrangements for follow-up actions", Qin Gang said at a regular news briefing.
The announcement came as the Republic of Korea (ROK) sent a shipload of heavy fuel oil to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as part of a deal for Pyongyang to shut its nuclear facilities.
The DPRK pledged at the Six-Party Talks in February that it would shut down its Yongbyon nuclear reactor within 60 days of receiving 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil or equivalent aid.
"We hope that through the joint efforts of all the parties, the two-day session will end on a positive note" to resolve the complex Korean nuclear issue, Qin said.
The meeting comes amid the building momentum to resolve the issue.
International Atomic Energy Agency monitors left Vienna yesterday for North Korea to verify a pledge by Pyongyang to shut down its atomic bomb program, the UN nuclear watchdog said yeserday.
"The team will implement arrangements agreed between the IAEA and (North Korea) ... to undertake verification and monitoring of the shutdown and sealing of Yongbyon nuclear facilities," the IAEA said in a statement.
Sudanese vice-president
The Sudanese First Vice-President Salva Kiir Mayardit will pay a six-day official visit to China from Tuesday at the invitation of Vice-President Zeng Qinghong.
Mayardit will hold talks with Zeng Qinghong and meet with other Chinese leaders, Qin said, hinting that the Darfur issue is likely to included in the discussions.
China hopes the Annan Plan is implemented as soon as possible, he said. Kofi Annan, as the UN secretary-general, had proposed a three-phase plan to restore peace in the Darfur regions, and Sudan, in principle, has agreed to it.
The UN and the African Union plan to hold a meeting on how to advance the peace process among the rebel groups in Darfur where 2.5 million people are homeless.
Middle East visit
China's special envoy for the Middle East Sun Bigan will visit Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Israel from July 14 to 21. He will discuss the existing situation in the Middle East, particularly the Palestine-Israel issue, with the leaders there, Qin said.
Yang for Moscow
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi flew to Moscow yesterday on an official visit, Qin said.
Source: China Daily
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