China says DPRK-US summit a good start

BEIJING -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Wednesday that the meeting between the leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States had important and positive historic significance.

"A good beginning is half done," spokesperson Geng Shuang told a press briefing Tuesday when responding to a question about the Kim-Trump summit.

Geng said the meeting yielded positive achievements, which were important progress in promoting denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the political settlement process.

"China greatly appreciates the political decisions made by the two leaders, welcomes and supports the achievements of the meeting, and applauds the efforts made by relevant parties to make the meeting a success," Geng said.

"After long-term hostility and confrontation between the DPRK and the U.S., it is of important and positive significance for the leaders of the two countries to sit down together for talks on equal footing.

"The results of the DPRK-US summit are a correct and important step to achieve denuclearization, end the hostility and confrontation, and pursue lasting peace and prosperity of the peninsula.

"The issues concerning the Korean Peninsula are both unique and complex. It is hard to solve them overnight."

He called on parties concerned to have persistence, be patient and make unremitting efforts.

"We wish and support the two sides to implement the consensus reached by the two leaders, promote follow-up consultations, further consolidate and expand the achievements, and make the political settlement of the peninsula issue a sustainable and irreversible process," Geng said.

"As a neighbor of the peninsula and an important party to the Korean Peninsula affairs, China stands ready to work with other relevant parties toward denuclearization and the establishment of a peace mechanism on the Korean Peninsula, and make positive efforts and contributions to the lasting stability on the Korean Peninsula."