Chinese President Hu Jintao met visiting South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun today, reaching with him "important" consensus on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

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

After the meeting, Hu said that the two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and other regional and international issues including the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.
 
They have reached many important consensuses on the issues, Hu said, echoing Roh who said that his visit to China, which exemplifies closer bilateral ties, has "some special meanings".

The ROK and China now face a crucial opportunity, and the two nations have maintained close consultation and cooperation to resolve the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Roh said, expressing his hope that cooperation will be further strengthened.

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

Roh is expected to attend a ceremony opening a new embassy house in Beijing this afternoon.

This is Roh's second visit to China since taking office in 2003. He came following the nuclear test by North Korea on October 9, which sparked strong international reaction and set-off moves at the United Nations to impose sanctions on the country.

(Xinhua News Agency, China Daily October 13, 2006)