Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba on Tuesday exchanged views concerning the passing of Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Speaking by phone with Gemba, Yang said safeguarding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula serves the common interest of all parties and China is willing to work with Japan toward that end.

Gemba shared Yang's view over the significance of a peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula, saying Japan will maintain close communications with China on the matter.

Meanwhile, the two ministers said the two countries will work together to ensure the success of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's planned trip to China to lay a good foundation for next year's 40th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations.