President Hu Jintao and US President George W. Bush discussed by phone last night the latest situation on the Korean Peninsula.   

 

Hu told Bush China is committed to maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula and opposed to any actions that can intensify the situation, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. 

 

Bush said the US is also concerned about the current development.  

 

"The US still adheres to the commitment of resolving the Korean Peninsula issue by diplomatic means," Bush was quoted as saying. 

 

"In such a complicated situation, it's necessary for all the related parties to keep calm and show restraint," Hu said. 

 

It is of vital importance for the realization of a nuclear-weapons-free Korean Peninsula and the maintenance of peace and stability there to fully implement the joint statement adopted at the end of the fourth round of six-party talks last September, Hu noted. 

 

He said China is willing to continue negotiations with all parties concerned to create favorable conditions for the resumption of the six-party talks at an early date. 

 

Bush said the US appreciates the efforts China has made to keep peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The US wishes to keep communications with China open, he added.  

  

(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2006)