Moon visits at 'critical period'

Xi says trip can help bring about better relations

The visit of the Republic of Korea's President Moon Jae-in 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.

"I hope and believe that your visit will provide important opportunities for the improvement and development of China-ROK relations," Xi said.

China and the ROK signed seven documents, witnessed by the two presidents, to boost cooperation in such areas as trade, health and agriculture.

The two countries will launch the second phase of negotiations on building the China-ROK free trade zone, according to a memorandum of understanding.

The fluctuation of China-ROK relations has provided a lesson for the two nations to usher in a better future for their ties on the basis of respecting each other's core interests, he said.

"China-ROK relations and the Korean Peninsula situation are in a critical period," Xi said.

As friendly neighbors and strategic partners, China and the ROK have great potential in maintaining regional peace and promoting common development, Xi said.

The two presidents exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

The goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula must be firmly upheld, Xi said, adding that war and chaos is not acceptable in the peninsula and the nuclear issue should be resolved through dialogue and consultation.

Saying that China and the ROK have important common interests in maintaining the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, Xi said China will continue to strengthen communication and coordination with the ROK on maintaining stability and preventing wars on the peninsula and promoting peace and talks.

China will continue to support the northern and southern sides of the peninsula to improve relations through dialogue and push reconciliation and cooperation, which will be good for the alleviation and resolution of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, he said.

Moon said that the ROK is firmly dedicated to peaceful resolution of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and Seoul would like to make joint efforts with Beijing to maintain regional peace.

Noting that the ROK ambassador to China attended the State memorial ceremony for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre held in Nanjing on Wednesday, Xi said that it reflected the great importance given by the ROK to the event.

Moon's visit shows that China-ROK relations are "entering a new stage" because it is essential for the two countries to exchange strategic views at a time when the Korean Peninsula is facing increasingly unstable factors, said Ruan Zongze, vice-president at the China Institute of International Studies.

"However, this does not mean that the page of THAAD has been turned," he said, adding that the two countries will continue to have dialogue and negotiations on the issue.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn