Rice, after a meeting Sunday morning with Chinese ForeignMinister Li Zhaoxing, thanked him for his efforts toarrange for a resumption of the six-party talks. But shesaid this is "only a first step," adding that the real issue is to make progress in the discussions. "The issue is for North Korea to make a strategic choiceto give up its nuclear program. ... The nuclear program hasto be dealt with," she said. Later, Rice went to the Great Hall of the People, whereshe met with President Hu Jintao. The six-party process, in addition to the United Statesand North Korea, involves China, South Korea, Japan andRussia. A Russian foreign ministry spokesman said theNorth's decision was welcome news. South Korea's main nuclear negotiator, Deputy ForeignMinister Song Min-soon, said Sunday that the North'simminent return to the arms talks was the "fruit of theefforts" of all countries involved.--SPA1125 Local Time 0825 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/275780