China has confirmed that working-level nuclear discussions on Pyongyang's atomic arms program will kick off in Beijing on May 12.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said Thursday that the two Koreas, China, the United States, Japan and Russia will hold discussions next month on various issues, adding that no date has been set for the closing of the talks.

Kong said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had contributed to pursuing the working-level talks, citing Kim's pledge to participate in the six-way nuclear dialogue during his recent trip to Beijing.