Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met in Beijing Monday with Ban Ki-moon, visiting minister of foreign affairs and trade of the Republic of Korea (ROK).  

The two sides exchanged views on issues of common concern, including the bilateral relations between the two countries and the six-party talks on the nuclear issue of Korean Peninsula.

Tang said the Chinese leadership values the development of the partnership relations of comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, and is willing to work with the ROK side to further deepen such relations in the new century in order to realize mutual prosperity.

On the nuclear issue of the peninsula, Tang said that no matter what difficulties will occur in the future, both sides should promote peaceful dialogue unremittingly, in order to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue through dialogue and maintain peace and stability of the peninsula and the region.

Ban said the ROK government will not change its friendly policy with China no matter how its domestic situation develops. The ROK side will continue devoting itself to the six-party talks and play an active and constructive role in seeking a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue through dialogue, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 30, 2004)