Wu downplayed expectations of progress in the six-nation talks starting Wednesday, noting there was still a gap between the United States and North Korea.

"It will be for three days," Wu, speaking to Japanese media in Beijing, said of the upcoming talks.

"It is premature to expect some kind of major achievement. We are at the stage where a new process is starting," Wu was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

"We want to set up another opportunity for further discussions. It will be resumed within the year," he said, according to the online edition of the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper.

Wu suggested setting up a panel of experts to carry out the statement reached in September under which North Korea agreed in principle to scrap its nuclear programs in exchange for energy assistance and other benefits.

"The ultimate goal is stated in the joint statement, but not the steps to attain it," Wu said, as quoted by Jiji Press said.

"We will ask the participating nations to discuss ways to execute the joint statement," he said.

China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States have been negotiating on and off with North Korea since 2003 amid fears that the communist regime is preparing nuclear weapons.

The United States wants North Korea to dismantle its nuclear program immediately, while Pyongyang is holding out for benefits upfront from Washington before surrendering its bargaining chip.

The gap between the two sides "is a dangerous factor that can potentially halt the progress of six-way talks," Wu said, according to Jiji.

Chinese President Hu Jintao travelled to Pyongyang last month to encourage North Korea to stay at the negotiating table.

"North Korea said in general it wants to keep promises it made and take action. But it does not mean there are no difficulties in carrying out the promises made," Wu said.

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