China-ROK cooperation in best time: FM

Cooperation between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) is in the best period since the two sides forged diplomatic relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Tuesday.

Qin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when he was asked to give information on Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's separate talks with ROK President Park Geun-hye and his ROK counterpart Yun Byung-se in Seoul on Monday.

Wang exchanged views with them on further promoting the two nations' high-level exchanges and advancing their strategic partnership, Qin said, adding that the two sides reached consensus on a variety of issues.

Under the backdrop that all sides are optimistic about Asia's development prospects and hope for enhancing integration in the region, the cooperation between China and the ROK has very good foundation and bilateral cooperation is in the best period since the two countries established diplomatic relations, Qin said.

"The two sides have the capacity and condition to play greater roles in the overall development of Asia, especially East Asia, through their intensified cooperation," he said.

According to Qin, China and the ROK also had in-depth discussions on safeguarding peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, advancing denuclearization of the peninsula and creating conditions for resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

He said Wang emphasized that China has always held a fair and objective position on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and positively promoted peaceful talks, and the position is consistent, clear, and remains unchanged.

China hopes both sides on the Korean Peninsula will improve their relations, Qin said, adding that the ROK expressed its willingness to improve relations and said that the Six-Party Talks should be resumed at an early date.