China, ROK pledge to work more closely on Korean Peninsular nuclear issue

The leaders of China and the Republic of Korea(ROK) on Friday agreed to work more closely on the Korean peninsular nuclear issue, following the nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"China and the ROK share common interests and common understanding in maintaining peace and stability in northeast Asia," Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told visiting ROK President Roh Moo-hyun.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the DPRK conducted an underground nuclear test on Monday.

As the region now faces "a very difficult situation", China and the ROK should work more closely to defuse the crisis, Wen said.

"It is still possible to resolve the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue through diplomatic means," the premier said. "The international community should not lose confidence."

He called for continued dialogue and consultation so as to avoid the deterioration of the situation.

Echoing Wen's remarks, Roh said the parties concerned should work for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

"We should work for the early resumption of the six-party talks as the talks are the effective way to resolve the Korean peninsular nuclear issue," Wen said.

"The ROK and China should step up communication and coordination to resume the six-party talks," Roh said.

The six-party talks on Korean nuclear issue remained stalled since the last round of meeting was held in Beijing last November.

The last round of talks, involving China, the DPRK, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, ended up with a Chairman's Statement, in which the parties concerned agreed to resume the talks as soon as possible.

Following the DPRK's nuclear test on Monday, China has been engaged in a string of diplomatic activities.

The members of the United Nations Security Council have been discussing a draft resolution circulated by the United States, which tends to take punitive sanctions against the DPRK.

During his one-day working visit to Beijing, Roh also met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and top legislator Wu Bangguo.

This is Roh's second visit to China since he took office in 2003.

Source: Xinhua