China committed to nuclear-free Korean Peninsula

BEIJING - China is firmly committed to realizing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, said Chinese President Xi Jinping during a phone conversation with South Korean President Park Geun-hye Wednesday.

China will firmly safeguard the peace and stability of the peninsula while pushing for a peaceful settlement, said Xi.

"China stands ready to keep close communication and coordination with South Korea on the peninsular issues, and hope all relevant parties can work together to easy its tension and safeguard its peace and stability," he said.

Park, for her part, said that South Korea appreciates China's constructive role, and Seoul is willing to keep communication and cooperation with Beijing.

As for the relationship between the two countries, Xi said bilateral ties currently enjoys a sound momentum for development.

"During the Nuclear Security Summit in the Netherlands last month, we reconfirmed our common wish to constantly boost bilateral relations while maintaining regional peace and stability," said Xi.

"We have maintained regular communications, which fully displays the affinity and importance of China-South Korea relations," he said.

Echoing Xi's remarks, Park said the two countries have boosted their cooperation in various areas and the friendship between the two peoples have been continuously deepened.

"I welcome and expect you to visit South Korea, and I would like to conduct in-depth exchanges of views with you on bilateral ties and major issues," Park told Xi during the conversation.

Xi also extended his profound condolences to the families of the missing and dead in the sunken South Korean ferry accident, pledging to deploy rescue equipment required by South Korea as soon as possible.

Park thanked China for the help and expressed her condolences to the families of Chinese victims involved in the accident. She also expressed her sympathy for relatives of the Chinese passengers on board the missing Malaysian flight MH370.