Chinese President Hu Jintao (L 2nd) holds talks with South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun (R 2nd) in Beijing, Oct. 13, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea (ROK) held talks in Beijing on Friday morning, reaching "important" consensus on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

    Hu said the Chinese government has fully articulated its stance on the nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

    Hu reiterated that China's ultimate objective is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as it opposes nuclear proliferation. The nuclear test issue needs to be resolved through peaceful dialogue and negotiation, and actions that could worsen the situation must be avoided. Peace and stability of the peninsula and northeast Asia must be assured, Hu told Roh.

    "This serves to the interests of various concerned parties", Hu noted, pledging that China is willing to consult and coordinate with the ROK and concerned parties to push forward the six-party talks. China will continue to play a constructive role in realizing the objective of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and to safeguard peace and stability in the peninsula and the northeast Asia, said Hu.

    Roh said his visit to China has "some special significance."

    The ROK and China are now facing a very important opportunity, and the two nations have closely cooperated to resolve the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Roh said.

    Hu and Roh had a 40-minute closed-door meeting before the official talks began in the Great Hall of the People.

    After the meeting, Hu said he exchanged views with Roh on bilateral relations and other regional and international issues.

    They have reached many important consensus on these issues, Hu said.

    Hu highlighted the recent development of China-ROK relations, expressing his appreciation to ROK's adherence to the one-China policy.

    China and the ROK have maintained effective coordination and cooperation on the regional and international issues, Hu said, calling for the two sides to step up a China-ROK comprehensive and cooperative partnership, Hu said.

    Roh also said the ROK will make joint efforts with China to restart the six-party talks as soon as possible.

    This is Roh's second visit to China since he took office in 2003. This visit follows the DPRK's Oct. 9th nuclear test, which sparked strong international reaction and set off moves at the United Nations that may lead to sanctions on the DPRK. Enditem

China, ROK agree to start talks on free trade area

    BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Friday agreed to start negotiations on a free trade area (FTA) as soon as possible.

    Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and the visiting ROK President Roh Moo-hyun exchanged views on starting the FTA negotiations and on revising the agreement on protecting the two-way trade during their 40-minute meeting, according to a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

    The trade volume between the two countries hit 100 billion U.S. dollars last year, according to official statistics.

    Wen and Roh also discussed how to carry out medium and long-term trade cooperation, focusing on environmental protection, energy preservation and high-tech cooperation.

    They pledged to promote trade facilitation, expand mutual investment and bring economic cooperation to a new level.

    Wen and Roh also hailed the recent efforts to improve the relations between China, ROK and Japan, saying the strong ties are in the common interests of the three countries.

    This is Roh's second visit to China since he took office in 2003. Roh paid a state visit to China in July 2003. Enditem

    ROK president pays working visit to Beijing

President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea (File Photo)     Photo Gallery >>>

    BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea (ROK) arrived here on Friday, starting a one-day working visit to China.

    Roh is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao.

    Roh came following the nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on October 9, which sparked strong international reaction and set off moves at the United Nations to impose sanctions on the country.

    Roh will discuss bilateral relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula with Chinese leaders, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.

    This is Roh's second visit to China since he took office in 2003. Roh paid a state visit to China in July 2003. Enditem

    ROK president's China tour to focus on bilateral ties, Korean peninsula situation

    BEIJING, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said on Thursday that the upcoming visit of President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea (ROK) would focus on bilateral relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

    At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Roh Moo-hyun will pay a working visit to China on Friday. Full Story    

    Related Reports: DPRK conducts nuclear test

    The international community is showing great concerns over a planned nuclear test announced Tuesday by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

    UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said through his spokesman that if the DPRK carries out the proposed test, it "would bring universal condemnation, and will not help DPRK achieve the goals expressed in its statement, particularly with regard to strengthening its security.">>>