China hopes to ease Korean Peninsula tensions

SEOUL - Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and his South Korean counterpart Lee Kyung-soo held a consultation on Friday during Liu's visit to South Korea, exchanging views on China-ROK relations, the regional situation and other issues of common concern.

Both sides agreed that China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership has made positive achievements since 2013. China decided to work with South Korea to deepen the bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the new year, advancing FTA negotiations and promoting the smooth operation of their common committee on cultural exchanges.

Liu briefed Lee on his latest visit to Pyongyang, expressing positive evaluations on the ease of tensions on the Peninsula since the beginning of 2014.

He said that the situation of Northeast Asia is so complicated that some uncertainties still exist on the Peninsula. He expressed the hopes all parties concerned would work together to promote the easing of tensions on the Peninsula, avoiding tensions such as what happened in the past.

Liu said China insisted on the denuclearization of the Peninsula, maintaining peace and stability of the region and solving problems through dialogues and consultations. China appreciated South Korea's efforts to improve the North-South relations, urged  both sides to continue their dialogues and cooperation to create conditions for an early resumption of the six-party talks.

The South Korean side thanked China's contribution to maintaining the peace and stability of the Peninsula and promoting resumption of the six-party talks. Seoul is willing to keep close communications and cooperation with Beijing and make efforts to push for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Liu arrived in Seoul later on Thursday following his four-day visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). He will also meet South Korea's Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae.