China opposes any action that could worsen the situation on the
Korean Peninsula, and hopes all relevant parties can act in a way
conducive to the stability of the peninsula, President Hu Jintao said on Tuesday.
Hu made the remarks when meeting with visiting Vice President of
the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Yang Hyong Sop on Tuesday
afternoon.
Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC)
Central Committee, said China is "seriously concerned" since "some
new complicating factors" have appeared on the Korean
Peninsula.
"China has always been committed to maintaining the peace and
stability on the peninsula, and insists on resolving the relevant
issues through peaceful dialogue and negotiation", Hu said.
Responding to Hu's views, Yang said that the DPRK will also work
to safeguard the peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in
the region.
The DPRK highly values its friendship with the Chinese people
and will continue to make joint efforts with China to further boost
bilateral relations, Yang noted.
Hu also called on the parties that are involved in the six-party
talks "to overcome current difficulties" to promote the talks.
China hopes to make concerted efforts with the parties to give
the matter priority, Hu said, urging the creation of favorable
conditions to promote a resumption of talks in a bid to safeguard
the peace and stability on the peninsula and in northeast Asia.
The six-party talks, involving China, the DPRK, the US, the
Republic of Korea (ROK), Russia and Japan, have remained stalled
since the last round was held in Beijing last November.
On bilateral ties, Hu said leaders of the two countries have
conducted exchange of visits in recent years, and reached important
understanding on pushing forward bilateral traditional friendship
and cooperation.
Under these new circumstances, China will work with the DPRK to
strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation in the spirit of
inheriting the tradition and facing the future, Hu said.
He stressed that the Chinese side will work with the DPRK side
to further implement the important consensus reached by the two
leaders, continue to enhance bilateral substantial cooperation in
various fields and make new efforts to maintain the peace,
stability and boost development in the region and the world as a
whole.
Yang also expressed his delight at visiting China and learning
about the achievements China has made in its development,
especially at a moment when bilateral relationship continues to
boom.
Yang's five-day visit coincides with activities in Beijing
commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Friendship, Cooperation
and Mutual Assistance Treaty signed between China and the DPRK.
Besides his meeting with Hu, Yang will also meet with Chinese
top legislator Wu Bangguo.
The same day in Pyongyang, Pak Bong-ju, Cabinet Premier of the
DPRK, met with visiting Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu to discuss bilateral ties, and
international and regional issues of common concern.
During the meeting, Hui conveyed to Pak a message of greeting
from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
Hui praised the development of bilateral exchanges and economic
cooperation between the two countries, saying they are important
components of Sino-DPRK relations.
China is ready to further promote future exchanges and
cooperation with the DPRK on the basis of the principle of mutual
benefit, Hui said.
Hui also noted that the Sino-DPRK friendship is strong.
Pak said the DPRK always attaches importance to the traditional
friendship with China, and his country is willing to further deepen
the economic and trade cooperation with it.
An agreement to further strengthen technological exchanges and
economic cooperation between the two nations was also signed.
The Chinese vice premier, who arrived in Pyongyang on Monday for
an official goodwill visit, also attended commemorative events to
mark the 45th anniversary of the signing of the friendship
treaty.
Wu Dawei, Chinese vice foreign minister and chief negotiator for
the six-party talks, accompanied Hui on the visit.
(Xinhua News Agency July 12, 2006)