Asia-Pacific
Beijing wants closer ties with Pyongyang, Seoul
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-01 09:18
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Hu holds talks with leaders to ease friction on the Korean Peninsula
SHANGHAI - President Hu Jintao on Friday said Beijing is committed to expanding its relations with Pyongyang and Seoul.
 President Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing (right) greet the Republic of Korea's President Lee Myung-bak and Lee's wife in Shanghai on Friday. Liao Pan / China News Service |
Hu made his remarks after meeting with the leaders of the two nations as part of China's efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Hu said Beijing's policy toward development of bilateral ties has not changed and China is willing to push for more friendly and closer ties with its neighbor.
"We should enhance the communication and coordination on major issues and support each other on key international and regional issues," an official press release quoted Hu as saying.
Later in the day Hu held talks with Republic of Korea (ROK) President Lee Myung-bak and the talks focused largely on closer economic ties and more frequent high-level exchanges between the two nations.
Hu also offered condolences and consolation to the victims of the Cheonan warship tragedy and their families.
The two nations also agreed to push forward the construction of the China-ROK free trade zone to deepen economic ties and enhance strategic communication.
Both Kim and Lee were in Shanghai to attend the opening ceremony of the World Expo 2010, and also had a chance to interact with each other at a welcome dinner hosted by Hu on Friday evening.
Diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the two nations came after the 12,000-ton ROK warship Cheonan sank following a mysterious explosion in late March, leaving dozens of sailors dead. There were suspicions in some quarters that Pyongyang was behind the incident.
ROK's Navy Chief of Staff Kim Sung-chan said on Thursday that Seoul "cannot and must not forgive or forget" those responsible for Cheonan's sinking, remarks interpreted as a vow of retribution.
Investigators are, however, yet to produce any proof that Pyongyang was involved in the incident.
Analysts say that ROK may not resort to any military action, but would rather try to drum up more regional and international support for economic and political moves against Pyongyang.
China, one of five veto-wielding permanent UN Security Council members, is generally opposed to sanctions, although it has agreed to limited punishment over Pyongyang's delay in taking concrete steps to dismantle its nuclear programs.
China Daily
