China urges treatment of Korean Peninsula tensions

BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for comprehensive treatment of tensions over the Korean Peninsula as he met Kim Moo-sung, special envoy of Republic of Korea (ROK) president-elect Park Geun-hye.

Xi, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, said that maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is in line with the fundamental interests of China and the ROK.

Xi said that the problems on the Korean Peninsula should be solved through addressing both the symptoms and root causes.

China called the concerns of all parties involved to be addressed in a balanced manner through dialogue and consultation so as to achieve the denuclearization of the peninsula and its long-term stability, he said, noting that his country expects an early resumption of six-party talks on denuclearization.

Early on Wednesday (Beijing Time), the UN Security Council adopted a resolution condemning the DPRK's satellite launch on Dec. 12, 2012. The resolution also reiterates that a peaceful, diplomatic and political resolution to these issues should be sought, and it advocates the resumption of the six-party talks on denuclearizing the peninsula.

Xi also stressed that China supports the final independent and peaceful reunification of the peninsula and is willing to play an positive role in promoting it.

In a letter conveyed by Kim to Xi, Park said she hopes to make joint efforts with China for the peninsula's stability and peace and prosperity in the Northeast Asia.

Park, who won the country's presidential election in December 2012, will replace incumbent President Lee Myung-bak next month.

She said the ROK attaches great importance to ROK-China relations and is willing to deepen mutual trust with China, strengthen cooperation in various fields and consolidate and develop bilateral strategic partnership.

Xi asked Kim to convey his greetings to Park and the ROK people, noting how bilateral ties have boomed in the past 20 years since the two forged diplomatic relationship in 1992.

China-ROK relations are entering a new stage and facing new important opportunities, according to Xi, who added that China appreciates Park's positive attitude to relations between the two countries.

Xi said that China highly values its ties with the ROK and is ready to work with the country to maintain high-level exchanges, and enhance cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields.