China sticks to peaceful settlement

BEIJING—Chinese, ROK presidents hold talks in Beijing, reaching consensus on Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. (Full Coverage on North Korea Nuclear Crisis)
Chinese President Hu Jintao and President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea (ROK) held talks in Beijing on Friday morning, reaching "important" consensus on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.
Hu and Roh had a 40-minute close-door meeting before the official talks in the Great Hall of the People.
After the meeting, Hu said he exchanged views with Roh on bilateral relations and other regional and international issues including the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.
They have reached many important consensus on these issues, Hu said.
On the Korean nuclear issue, Hu said the Chinese government has articulated its stance on the nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
China will unswervingly stick to the objective of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, opposes the nuclear proliferation, insists on the general direction of resolving the issue through peaceful dialogue and negotiation, avoids worsening the situation and actions out of control in an effort to safeguard the peace and stability in the peninsula and the northeast Asia, Hu told Roh.
"This serves to the interests of various concerned parties", Hu noted, pledging that China is willing to strengthen consultation and coordination with various concerned parties, including the ROK, to push forward the six-party talks and continue to play a constructive role in realizing the objective of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and to safeguard the peace and stability in the peninsula and the northeast Asia.
Roh said his visit to China, which signifies closer bilateral ties, has "some special meanings."
The ROK and China are now facing a very important opportunity, and the two nations have maintained close consultation and cooperation to resolve the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Roh said, expressing his hope to further strengthen the cooperation.
This is Roh's second visit to China since he took office in 2003. He came following the DPRK's nuclear test on October 9, which sparked strong international reaction and set off moves at the United Nations to impose sanctions on the country.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also met with Roh on Friday afternoon following the meeting between Roh and Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo.
Noting the situation in Northeast Asia has just seen a "new" event, Wen said the two countries should further promote cooperation in the region.
"China and the ROK share common interests and understanding, and should strengthen cooperation to safeguard regional peace and stability," Wen said.

 - China Daily,  Daily Mail news exchange item