(Photo: CGTN)
China is ready to join others in playing an active role in pushing forward the process of a political solution to the Korean Peninsula issue, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in.
Xi held phone conversations with Moon and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe respectively on Friday, exchanging views on the situation of the peninsula, as well as bilateral ties.
Commenting on the summit between Moon and leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un on April 27, Xi told Moon that China supports Seoul and Pyongyang in continuing its interactions and further improving ties, calling on the two sides to implement the agreements reached at the summit.
The peninsula is facing a historic opportunity to realize peace, Xi stressed.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Da Nang, Vietnam on the sidelines of the APEC meeting, November 11, 2017. (Photo: Xinhua)
Moon said the ROK and the DPRK had reached extensive consensus on improving ties, are working toward denuclearization of the peninsula and establishing a peace mechanism.
He thanked China for its efforts in pursuing dialogue on the peninsula and vowed to enhance coordination with Beijing.
Xi also said China pays great attention to China-ROK relations and is willing to enhance communication with the ROK, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and promote cultural exchanges so as to steadily move bilateral relations forward in the common interest of both sides.
DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (C) and his wife Ri Sol Ju (L) toast with South Korean President Moon Jae-in (R) during the official dinner at the end of their historic summit at the truce village of Panmunjom, April 27, 2018. (Photo: VCG)
Abe hails China's important role over peninsula
In his phone conversation with Xi, the Japanese prime minister spoke highly of China's important role over the Korean Peninsula issue, adding that Tokyo would like to enhance communication with Beijing.
Xi said China is committed to maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula and solving the problems through dialogue and consultation. The concerns of each side should be addressed in a comprehensive and balanced way, he noted, calling on Japan to play a constructive role.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. For a period of time, Japan has released positive signals and taken positive actions on bilateral relations and China welcomes what Japan has done, Xi said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R2) meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Da Nang, Vietnam, on the sidelines of the APEC meeting, November 11, 2017. (Photo: Xinhua)
China and Japan should properly manage their contradictions and differences to bring bilateral relations back on track and strive for new developments, the Chinese president told Abe.
The Japanese prime minister said Japan attaches great importance to its relations with China and will strive for comprehensive improvement and development of bilateral ties.
Next week Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will pay an official visit to Japan, where he will attend the seventh China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting.