Xi says China supports both Koreas in promoting inter-Korea dialogue, exchange

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday that China has always supported the improvement of relations between South Korea and North Korea, as well as their reconciliation and cooperation.

In a phone call with his South Korean counterpart, Moon Jae-in, Xi said China supports the two sides in promoting inter-Korea dialogue and exchanges to gradually advance the settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue.

Currently, challenges and opportunities co-exist on the Korean Peninsula, Xi said, expressing the hope that the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games will not only bring about opportunities for inter-Korea dialogue, but also help improve the situation on the peninsula.

Xi said China is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with all sides concerned, including South Korea, to pursue a positive outcome of the situation.

For his part, Moon said his country attaches great importance to China’s important role in solving the dilemma on the Korean Peninsula, and appreciates China’s support for inter-Korea dialogue and efforts to push for settlement through dialogue and safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula.

The White House said Wednesday that US President Donald Trump is open to the US holding talks with North Korea “under the right circumstances,” after Moon signaled a willingness to sit down with Kim.

Signs of a potential cooling following months of red-hot tension on the Korean Peninsula came the day after Pyongyang reached a landmark agreement to send athletes to the Winter Olympics in the South, a move the international community broadly welcomed.

In a phone call with Moon, Trump expressed his openness to talks with Pyongyang “at the appropriate time, under the right circumstances,” the White House said.