BEIJING, July 10 (UPI) -- China reportedly wants to host a meeting this month of the chief delegates of the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program.
Kyodo news service, quoting diplomatic sources, reported Tuesday that China has proposed July 18 for the talks in Beijing among the chief delegates from the two Koreas, the United States, Russia, Japan and China. It would be the first meeting of the group since talks recessed in March.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman was quoted as saying he believes the delegates would discuss issues surrounding those initial steps for denuclearization but Kyodo said other diplomats want the meeting to discuss the second stage of the process.
Last February, North Korea agreed to shut down its main nuclear facility in Yongbyon in exchange for aid. The process stalled over North Korean funds frozen in a Macao bank, which has been resolved.
Last week, North Korea indicated it will start shutting the nuclear facilities after receiving the first consignment of the 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil, which is expected this week.
Separately, the International Atomic Energy Agency planned to send inspectors to monitor and verify the closure of the nuclear facilities.
