Following efforts by China and other countries, the prospects for a resolution of the Korean nuclear issue are generally positive, senior diplomats said yesterday.

China plans to continue playing a constructive role in maintaining six-party negotiations through positive and patient meditations, said Li Zhaoxing, minister of foreign affairs, during a interactive dialogue with netizens on the World Wide Web.

Li's special press conference on the website of the foreign ministry attracted the eyes of thousands of Internet surfers who had begun to raise mountains of questions ranging from international affairs to Li's personal issues hours before the minister's appearance.

During yesterday's regular press conference, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao said there are still some difference on the views held by the various parties and it is impossible to hold a second round of talks this year.

Meanwhile, progress could be achieved in the coming year assuming everybody adopts a flexible and sincere attitude when dealing with the core questions of the issue, he added.

In responding to one comment that Libya's recent decision to stop developing weapons of mass destruction should set an example for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the spokesman said China supports a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

At the same time, safety concerns by both the United States and DPRK should be given consideration in order to work out an acceptable programme for all sides, he said.

Speaking of China's support to the reconstruction of Afghanistan, Liu noted that Vice-Foreign Minister Lu Xinhua started a visit to Afghanistan on December 20 and held meetings with Nimartullah Shaharani, vice-president of Afghanistan's interim government and Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.

Expressing appreciation for China's assistance in the past, Shaharani said Afghanistan hopes China will continue to help boost the country's economic development.

Liu said China hopes the general election will be held as scheduled after the passage of a new constitution in Afghanistan.

The Afghan Vice-President said Afghanistan will continue to co-operate with China in fighting terrorism, according to Liu.

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