China and the United States have agreed to prepare for a new round of six-party talks on the nuclear stand-off on the Korean Peninsula and try to achieve substantive progress at the hoped-for meeting.

Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks on Wednesday with James Kelly, visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Another Vice-Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo also met Kelly, who started his China tour on Tuesday, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao yesterday.

Liu said Wang had an in-depth exchange of views with Kelly on a new round of six-party talks, and they agreed to launch the fresh talks as soon as possible.

"Wang stressed that China hoped all the parties concerned would adopt more flexible policies, narrow their differences and enhance mutual trust, in order to create a sound atmosphere for a substantive discussions on the nuclear issue,'' Liu told reporters at a regular briefing.

The spokesman said both parties regarded their meeting as "beneficial and constructive,'' and they agreed to keep in contact in the future.

Responding to a question on Middle East conflicts, Liu said China noted tensions between Israel and Palestine appear to have eased a little recently.

Liu said the leaders of both countries have expressed their willingness many times to resume dialogue as soon as possible, and have also made some positive contacts.

The United Nations Security Council adopted on Wednesday a resolution expressing its support for the "roadmap'' peace plan for the Middle East. Israeli and Palestinian peace activists also reached an unofficial Geneva Accords peace plan.

Liu said China welcomes these moves, which will contribute to the peace and reconciliation process between Israel and Palestine.

"China hopes the two sides can co-operate with the international community to achieve progress in peace negotiations,'' said Liu.

Liu also addressed the issue of an upcoming visit to South Asia by Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee. The spokesman said Jia's visit, which will take in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan from November 23 to December 7, is a very important one that will further promote China's relations with the region.

Liu said China has always considered it important to co-operate with its South Asian neighbours based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Jia's tour is expected to take China's relationship with the five nations to a new level.

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