Xi meets ROK envoy, stressing value of joint ties

China's Party chief Xi Jinping on Wednesday met the special envoy of Republic of Korea president-elect Park Geun-hye, stressing the importance of maintaining the strategic and cooperative partnership between the two countries.

Kim Moo-sung, the envoy, delivered a letter from Park to Xi and conveyed Park's greetings to Chinese leaders.

China's Party chief Xi Jinping (R) meets Kim Moo-sung, the special envoy of Republic of Korea president-elect Park Geun-hye, in Beijing on Jan 23. [Photo/Xinhua]

Park said in the letter she attaches great importance to ties between the two countries, and hopes to deepen trust with the Chinese side, promote bilateral cooperation and further develop the strategic and cooperative partnership with China.

Xi asked Kim to send his greetings to Park and people in the ROK.

He said China also places high value on ties between Beijing and Seoul, and appreciates Park's willingness to deepen the strategic and cooperative partnership between the two sides.

Xi told Kim ties between the two nations are facing a new historical starting point with new important opportunities.

China hopes to take these chances together with the ROK, maintain high-level exchanges and boost bilateral cooperation in areas including politics, economics and people-to-people communication.

Xi and Park agreed to strive to maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula and to maintain peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia.

Xi said it is in line with the interests of China and the ROK to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula. Solving the nuclear issue on the peninsula hinges on addressing both the symptoms and root causes, he said.

Xi added that China hopes the Six-Party Talks, aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to security concerns as a result of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear weapons program, will be resumed as soon as possible.

He added that China supports peaceful reunification of the peninsula by the people themselves.

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