Ban Ki-moon praises China's role on Korean Peninsula

Premier Li Keqiang has met United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Beijing. The two exchanged views on regional and global issues. Ban spoke highly of China's recent efforts to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

A unique greeting from Premier Li, their discussion that followed covered a wide range of regional and international issues. Li said China will step up its efforts to promote the peaceful settlement of international disputes, and support the UN's millennium development goals. Ban praised China's constructive role in international and regional affairs. Especially, in helping reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

China and the DPRK held a strategic dialogue in Beijing on Wednesday. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui said the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is in the interests of all concerned parties.

His DPRK counterpart Kim Kye Gwan said the DPRK is willing to join in any form of talks, including the six-party talks, in order to resolve the nuclear issue peacefully. The UN Secretary General noted China's efforts to facilitate dialogue between South Korea and the DPRK.

Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General, said, "The recent very tense and volatile situation on the Korean Peninsula has caused a lot of concerns to the international community. With the active intervention and influence of the Chinese government, we have been able to see reduction of tension. But the situation on the Korean Peninsula is still tense and volatile. I understand that the President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye is going to visit China. I hope that this will provide a good opportunity to discuss with the Chinese leadership."

Ban added that meaningful dialogue was crucial at this stage as a basis for building trust and communication between South Korea and the DPRK.

Ban called for China to play a bigger role in global and regional issues. Chinese leaders say they're ready to meet the challenge, promising to step up efforts to promote the peaceful settlement of international disputes, work with other parties to tackle climate change, and make more contributions toward world peace and human development.