At the same time, the expert recognized China's unremitting efforts to facilitate the negotiations as a key factor responsible for the breakthrough.

Tao commented that the success of the recently concluded six-party talks is encouraging, but the discussions held were only the initial step to implement the September 19 Joint Statement. Also, the document gives short shrift to a number of crucial issues, and "shutting down and sealing" the nuclear facility is not necessarily synonymous with denuclearization. He therefore cautioned that it is unrealistic to assume that this document will provide a solution to all problems related to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Nevertheless, the good start can build up confidence about overcoming future difficulties, said Tao.

This view was echoed by Shi Yinhong, Director of the Research Center of American Affairs of Renmin University of China. He believes that the most direct and central part of the document, especially the shutdown of the Yongbyon nuclear facility and the shipment of emergency energy assistance, will be implemented.

However, he noted that some provisions in the document are obscure, because they must be made acceptable to both North Korea and the United States, thus leaving room for further discussions. He said North Korea's declaring of its nuclear programs would be a possible point of contention. In addition, he identified the expression "to start bilateral talks" used in the article on improving Pyongyang-Washington relations as vague.  

Key Points of the Initial Actions for the Implementation of the Joint Statement I. The parties held serious and productive discussions on the actions each party will take in the initial phase for the implementation of the Joint Statement of September 19, 2005. The parties reaffirmed their common goal and will to achieve early denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner and reiterated that they would earnestly fulfill their commitments in the Joint Statement. The parties agreed to take coordinated steps to implement the Joint Statement in a phased manner in line with the principle of "action for action." II. The parties agreed to take the following actions in parallel in the initial phase: 1. The DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] will shut down and seal for the purpose of eventual abandonment of the Yongbyon nuclear facility, including the reprocessing facility, and invite back IAEA personnel to conduct all necessary monitoring and verifications as agreed between the IAEA and the DPRK. 2. The DPRK will discuss with other parties a list of all its nuclear programs as described in the Joint Statement, including plutonium extracted from used fuel rods, which would be abandoned pursuant to the Joint Statement. 3. The DPRK and the United States will start bilateral talks aimed at resolving pending bilateral issues and moving toward full diplomatic relations. The United States will begin the process of removing the designation of the DPRK as a state-sponsor of terrorism and advance the process of terminating the application of the Trading with the Enemy Act with respect to the DPRK. 4. The DPRK and Japan will start bilateral talks aimed at taking steps to normalize their relations in accordance with the Pyongyang Declaration, on the basis of the settlement of unfortunate past and outstanding issues of concern. 5. Recalling Section 1 and 3 of the Joint Statement of September 19, 2005, the parties agreed to cooperate in economic, energy and humanitarian assistance to the DPRK. In this regard, the parties agreed to the provision of emergency energy assistance to the DPRK in the initial phase. The initial shipment of emergency energy assistance equivalent to 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil will commence within the next 60 days.