China touts role in easing tensions on Korean Peninsula

A senior Chinese official on Friday touted his country's diplomatic efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula, while reaffirming its pledge to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi, a senior foreign policy adviser to Chinese President Xi Jinping, also hailed the June summit talks between South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Xi as having "consolidated our good-neighborly friendship and cooperation."

Yang made the remarks in his eight-page article on China's major diplomatic agenda and global affairs, titled "Innovations in China's Diplomatic Theory and Practice Under New Conditions."   

"On the Korean nuclear issue, while firmly committed to the goal of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, we have actively reached out to relevant countries to move the situation on the peninsula towards relaxation," Yang said.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula soared early this year, following North Korea's third nuclear test and menacing threats against South Korea and the United States.

In the latest sign of easing tensions, Seoul and Pyongyang agreed this week to reopen a jointly-run industrial complex in the North's border city of Kaesong that was shuttered in April amid high tensions.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday congratulated Seoul on the agreement to resume Kaesong operation and expressed support for steady efforts to improve cross-border relations through dialogue and contact, his ministry said.

In a telephone call with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, Wang said he was "relieved" in hearing about the Kaesong agreement, according to the ministry.  Wang pointed out that the circumstances on the Korean Peninsula were at a critical moment and called on each party to seize on the opportunity to ease tensions, the ministry said.

Yun appreciated China's efforts and said South Korea will continue its own endeavors for better South-North relations, the Chinese ministry said.(YONHAP)