Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo's visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was important and beneficial, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan in Beijing Tuesday after Dai returned to Beijing.

Kong told a regular press conference Dai visited the DPRK from July 12 to 15. During his visit, Dai met Kim Jong II, the leader of the DPRK, and had talks with Kim Yong Nam, the president of the Supreme People's Assembly, and Paek Nam Sun, the foreign minister of the DPRK, Kong said.

They exchanged views on bilateral relations and international issues of common concern, Kong added.

Dai's visit was important and beneficial in terms of bilateral relations and also in terms of the DPRK nuclear issue, said Kong.

Kong said China is fully committed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. China attaches great importance to the peninsula's denuclearization and stands firm in its stance on the peaceful resolution of the DPRK nuclear issue.

China believes that the DPRK's security concerns should also be addressed and that the Beijing talks should be continued, said Kong.

(Xinhua News Agency July 15, 2003)