The third round of six-party talks on the Korean Nuclear Issue concluded Saturday Morning in Beijing, and the next round will be held before end of September. At a press conference following the closing of Saturday's talks, Vice Foreign Minister and head of Chinese delegation Wang Yi says important consensuses have been reached, while big differences still remain. Liu Wei reports.

A number of consensuses have been reached in the third round of talks that lasted from Wednesday to Saturday.

According to a chairman's statement after the talks, various parties reaffirmed their commitments to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the needs to take the first steps toward that goal as soon as possible.

The parties stressed the need for a step-by-step process and a "words for words and action for action" approach for a peaceful solution to the issue. Each party also welcomed and respected proposals from the others. They all held that further discussions are needed.

The parties agreed in principle to hold the fourth round of talks in Beijing by the end of September. And the working group meeting will convene at the earliest possible date to decide the scope, duration and verification as well as corresponding measures for first steps of denuclearization, and make recommendations to the next round of talks.

And there is more, as vice foreign minister and head of Chinese delegation Wang Yi explained at a press conference following the closing of Saturday's talks.

"For the first time North Korea proposed nuclear freezing be the first step of denuclearization, while China, Russia, South Korea and Japan all pledge to take corresponding measures to address North Korea's concerns. And the US pledged to study North Korea's demands."

In this round of talks, the United States demand North Korea to permanently and verifiably give up all of its nuclear programs, while North Korea says it can give up all of its nuclear weapons program and other related programs in a transparent way. Vice minister Wang Yi says this shows the two sides' positions are closing.

However, for such a complicated issue, difficulties still remain. Here is vice foreign minister Wang Yi again.

"Currently there are two major difficulties. One is how to define the scope and means of denuclearization, and then is the scope of nuclear freezing, as well as corresponding measures. Different parties, especially North Korea and the United States have sharp disputes over these questions."

According to Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the six parties had the consensus that various parties should take synchronized steps in the issue. He says the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsular is irreversible, as well as the six party talks and peace on the peninsula.

Liu Wei, CRI News.