Foreign and Military Affairs

China expects outcome of inter-Korean dialogue

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-02-23 20:49

SEOUL - China hopes to see positive outcome from inter-Korean dialogue, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Wednesday, adding that Beijing will continue to work together with Republic of Korea (ROK) to contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

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Yang, who is on a two-day visit in Seoul, made the remarks while meeting with ROK President Lee Myung-bak in the latter's office Cheong Wa Dae.  

For China, to maintain and promote peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in the whole region is one of its " fundamental starting points" of dealing with peninsula affairs, Yang said.

The "starting points" are also based on principles, including achieving denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and long-term stability in northeastern Asia, as well as maintaining and promoting common interests of the countries in the region and their peoples, China's top diplomat added.

To this end, China supports inter-Korean dialogue and sincerely hopes it will bring positive outcome, and it is willing to make joint efforts with Seoul in this regard, Yang said.

Meanwhile, Yang spoke highly of the relationship between Beijing and Seoul, noting that the bilateral ties between the two sides have reached a new high since the two nations established strategic cooperative partnership in 2008.

China pays attention to its relationship with ROK, Yang said, adding that it is ready to work closely with Seoul to maintain high-level exchange, increase political mutual trust, expand people-to-people exchange and strengthen pragmatic cooperation in all areas, so as to further promote the strategic cooperative partnership with ROK.  

In response, Lee said it is heartening to see that the bilateral ties between Seoul and Beijing developed to current level in a short term, noting that it has made important contributions to peace and stability in the region.

He said he believes that the bilateral ties will certainly achieve greater development in the year of 2011.

The president said South Korean side appreciates active efforts made by China in promoting inter-Korean dialogue, adding that Seoul is willing to continue to push ahead with inter-Korean dialogue and process of denuclearization of the peninsula.