Foreign and Military Affairs

China ready for peninsula talks with ROK

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-18 16:38

BEIJING - China said on Wednesday it is ready to continue strengthening communication and coordination with the Republic of Korea (ROK) on peninsular issues.

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"We hope to promote the northern and southern sides of the Korean Peninsula to improve relations through dialogue, and promote further easing of the peninsular situation and an early restart of the six-party talks," said Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Hu Zhengyue.

Hu made the remarks at a press briefing on Premier Wen Jiabao's attendance to the fourth leaders' meeting of China, Japan and ROK.

Wen will meet ROK President Lee Myung-bak on the sidelines of the meeting, which is "an important contact" between leaders of the two countries. The two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common concern, Hu said.

He added that China hopes the two sides will reach broad consensus in the meeting on further strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchanges in all areas, and on deepening the strategic partnership of cooperation.