President says China hopes talks on peninsula denuclearization succeed

China looks forward to the success of the top leaders' meeting and bilateral dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States, President Xi Jinping said.

Beijing hopes substantial progress will be made toward denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and normalizing their relations, Xi said when meeting on Monday with Chung Eui-yong, special envoy and top national security adviser for Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in.

Chung visited Pyongyang and Washington last week and announced in the US capital on Thursday that US President Donald Trump would meet DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un by May to achieve permanent denuclearization.

China appreciates Moon's dispatching Chung to China to provide a briefing on Chung's visits to the DPRK and the US and his effort to promote DPRK-US dialogue, Xi said.

Chung, who leads the National Security Office of the Blue House, said positive changes have taken place in the peninsula's situation and China has played an important, navigating role.

The envoy noted that China always has upheld the goal of denuclearizing the peninsula as well as the peaceful settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue, and it supports direct US-DPRK dialogue.

China has supported the major step taken in ROK-DPRK ties, which has led to the positive developments on the peninsula issue, Chung added.

The ROK expressed its sincere appreciation to China, Chung said.

During Monday's meeting, Xi said as long as all parties involved stay focused on the fundamental aim－the peninsula's denuclearization, peace and stability－the ice will melt and warmth will return to the peninsula.

There is now an important opportunity for easing tension and promoting dialogue, and China has spoken positively of the efforts made by the ROK, Xi said.

China is willing to continue to work with the international community, including the ROK, communicate with all concerned parties and promote the political settlement of the peninsula issue through China's dual-track approach and conducive suggestions from all sides, Xi said.

Also, the parties involved should be patient and careful, give full play to their political wisdom and properly deal with and eliminate problems and disturbances in the process of restarting dialogue, Xi added.

China has always supported both sides of the peninsula in improving their relations and promoting reconciliation and cooperation, and has supported contacts and dialogue between the US and the DPRK and their consultations for addressing each others' concerns, Xi said. Achieving peninsula denuclearization and preventing war or turmoil there comprise China's consistent position, he said.

Seoul hopes Beijing continues playing an important role. The ROK is willing to closely coordinate with Beijing to maintain the current momentum and promote peaceful settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue, Chung said.