China says the next round of six-party talks on North Korean's nuclear program will last for three days.

The official news agency, Xinhua, says the talks will begin Wednesday at the Diaoyu State Guest House in Beijing and last through Friday. This is the fifth round of talks involving China, the two Koreas, the United States, Russia and Japan.

All sides have agreed that North Korea would scrap its nuclear programs in exchange for energy assistance and other benefits. However, sharp differences among the parties remain.

After the previous round ended in September, Pyongyang said it will not disarm unless it is first given a civilian (light-water) nuclear reactor to generate electricity. U.S. officials said the demand is not acceptable.