"After consultations with relevant parties the six-party talks will begin on November 9," foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan told reporters.

"We hope all parties concerned take an active and constructive attitude to start the new round of talks and make joint efforts."

The previous round of talks ended in September with a statement of principles under which North Korea would give up its nuclear weapons program in return for energy and security guarantees.

But immediately following the end of those talks, Pyongyang said it would not dismantle its nuclear arsenal until the United States agreed to supply it with a light-water atomic reactor to generate electricity.

The United States has since insisted that North Korea must first end all its nuclear weapons programs in a complete and verifiable way.

"If the parties concerned can follow the consensus of the last round of talks, that is commitment for commitment and action for action, then the contents of the joint statement and progress on implementation can be made," Kong said.

"This would be considered positive progress."

A flurry of diplomatic activities from all sides over recent weeks, including a visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao to Pyongyang, ensured the fifth round of talks would go ahead on schedule.

The talks will be held at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing.

Kong said China has proposed a break in negotiations as some diplomats may be required to attend the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) informal leaders summit in South Korea on November 18-19.

"As the host of the talks ... we think that a phase-by-phase format of the talks is a good idea," Kong said.

"The duration will depend on the developments ... but during the APEC meeting in Busan it is quite possible that some members of the six-party delegations will accompany their leaders."

Kong refused to comment on whether another joint statement or any other document could be produced by the talks.