Chinese defense minister on Monday called for stronger international cooperation on ending the standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons ambitions, South Korea's Defense Ministry said.

China's Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan (L) shakes hands with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun at the presidential Blue House in Seoul April 17, 2006. Cao arrived in Seoul on Saturday for a five-day visit. [Reuters]

In a meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan "reaffirmed China will continue its efforts for a peaceful resolution of the North Korea nuclear issue and expressed hope for stronger cooperation between neighboring countries," the ministry said in a statement.

Cao arrived in Seoul Saturday on the last leg of an Asian tour that also took him to North Korea.

In Pyongyang, Cao met top North Korean officials including the country's second-highest leader, Kim Yong Nam, and its defense minister, Kim Il Chol.

Cao's visits to the two Koreas came amid efforts to get the North back to six-nation talks on its nuclear program. At the last round, held in November, negotiators failed to make any progress on getting Pyongyang to carry out a pledge it made in September to disarm in exchange for aid and a security guarantee.

The Beijing-hosted six-country talks involve the two Koreas, the United States, Japan, China and Russia.

South Korean Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung asked for China to "continue playing a constructive role" on the nuclear issue, his ministry said.

The defense ministers also agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

Also Monday, Cao met South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and talked about ways to strengthen bilateral relations, Roh's office said.

During Monday's meeting with Cao, Roh said stronger Seoul-Beijing ties will "not only contribute to peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula, but also the Northeast Asia region," according to a statement from Roh's office.

Cao is set to leave South Korea Wednesday.