Xi, leaders hold talks at APEC

Republic of Korea

Meeting with his Republic of Korea counterpart Moon Jae-in, President Xi Jinping said China and the ROK should enhance communication and coordinate with each other to advance the process of denuclearization and push for the establishment of a peace mechanism on the Korean Peninsula as the situation there is at a crucial stage.

Xi said, the situation on the peninsula has shown positive change over the past year and that the peninsular issue has on the whole returned to the right track of dialogue and consultation.

The facts have shown our endeavors are effective, he said.

Under Moon's leadership, the ROK has been committed to promoting the easing of tension on the peninsula and engaging in reconciliation and interaction activities between the south and north, Xi said.

China supports the efforts of the two sides to continuously improve their relations, Xi said.

The key is that all parties concerned should meet each other halfway, show flexibility, continue their talks and make the talks yield results, he added.

Regarding the bilateral relationship, Xi said the consensuses reached between the two heads of state have been implemented effectively over the past year and the bilateral ties have steadily improved and developed.

He urged the two countries to deepen their strategic cooperative partnership and jointly make positive contributions to lasting peace and prosperity in the region.

The two sides should continue to give full play to the guiding role of high-level leaders, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen communication, build and consolidate mutual trust, and properly handle sensitive issues, Xi said.

He called for greater efforts from both sides to jointly promote the Belt and Road Initiative, accelerate the second-phase negotiations of the bilateral free trade agreement, and optimize and upgrade their mutually beneficial cooperation.

Xi also proposed that the two sides strengthen coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as APEC, the G20 and the China-Japan-ROK trilateral meetings.

Moon extended congratulations on the success of the first China International Import Expo, which was held in Shanghai this month.

The bilateral relations are now showing a trend of quick recovery, with exchanges and cooperation in various areas picking up markedly, he said.

The ROK is willing to make joint efforts with China to deepen cooperation, thus benefiting the two peoples, Moon said.

The ROK thinks highly of and greatly appreciates the vital role of China in promoting the easing of Korean Peninsula situation and the settlement of the peninsula issue, he said, adding that the ROK stands ready to coordinate and cooperate with China more closely in this regard.

Xinhua contributed to this story.