Chinese President Hu Jintao met with visiting US Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice Friday in Beijing.
"It is essential for the two countries to consult closely on
major international and regional issues, especially the highly
complicated nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula," Hu said.
Hu said Rice arrived in Beijing shortly after State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan visited the United States as his
special envoy.
"This shows that US President George W. Bush and the US
government attach great importance to US-China relations," he
said.
Rice echoed Hu, saying her visit is a "sign of close
cooperation" between the two countries.
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She also said "it is important that in the current difficult and
complex situation, the two countries coordinate closely and share
ideas on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue."
Hu said the Chinese side has always been an advocate of the
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. China opposes nuclear
weapons proliferation and seeks a peaceful solution to the nuclear
issue.
China "firmly opposes" North Korea's nuclear test, and adheres
to UN Security Council Resolution 1718, Hu said, stressing that
China will continue to pursue a peaceful solution to the nuclear
issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and negotiation.
Hu said China is willing to make joint efforts with all relevant
parties to handle the issue calmly and with restraint, so as to
prevent the situation from deteriorating or getting out of control,
and to actively create conditions for an early resumption of the six-party talks so as to maintain peace and
security on the peninsula and in northeast Asia.
According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA),
North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test on Oct. 9.
The United Nations Security Council on Oct. 14 unanimously
adopted a resolution imposing sanctions against North Korea for its
nuclear test.
Rice's visit comes amid international efforts to ease the
tension. China is the third leg of Rice's four-nation tour, which
has already taken her to Japan and South Korea. From China she will
travel to Russia.
(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2006)
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