BEIJING -- China hopes the six-party talks would be resumed before the Chinese Lunar New Year in Mid February, said Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan.

"The six-party talks constitute the realistic and effective way to solving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula," Tang told the visiting Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Song Min-soon.

"Recently the parties concerned have carried out helpful contacts and reached some consensus," said Tang, adding that China will work with the ROK to make the talks resume at an early date and strive for some positive progress.

The six-party talks involve China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK), the United States, the ROK, Japan and Russia.