The 23rd Northeast Asia Cooperation Dialogue has kicked off at Dalian, China.

Discussions are reportedly underway to resolve North Korea's nuclear issue at the event, which is being held under the theme "Peace and Security on the Korean Peninsula."

Deputy negotiators of the six party talks from South Korea, the United States, China and Russia, as well as deputy nuclear envoy Choi Sun-hee from North Korea and a councilor from the Japanese Embassy are said to be taking part in the meeting.

Previously, North Korea's Choi declined to answer questions from media regarding whether she has plans to meet with the U.S. on the sidelines of the dialogue after it closes.

This is the first time deputy negotiators to the six party talks met in the same setting since a 2009 meeting in the United States.