Moon visits at 'critical period'

Xi says trip can help bring about better relations

The visit of the Republic of Korea's President Moon Jaein will provide opportunities for the two sides to improve bilateral ties that were affected "for reasons known by all", President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.

Analysts said that Moon's first state visit to China marks the start of a new stage for China-ROK relations jeopardized by the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system on the Korean Peninsula. Moon's four-day visit came amid escalating tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile program.