Hu briefed Roh Moo-hyun on China's position on the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in his meeting with the ROK president who began a four-day state visit to China Monday.

Hu stressed that China was fully committed to maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula, attached great importance to its non-nuclearization status and stood firm on the peaceful resolution of the issue by dialogue, and China believed that the DPRK's security concerns should also be addressed.

Hu said China and the ROK shared many views on the issue, and it was necessary for both sides to strengthen coordination and communication in striving for a peaceful solution, and to play their due roles in pushing for the continuation of the Beijing talks process.

Hu said that China's policy on the Korean peninsula was consistent and it supported reconciliation and cooperation between the ROK and the DPRK and the final realization of the independent and peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula.

China would, as always, play a constructive role to this end, Hu stressed.

Roh agreed that the ROK and China reached wide-ranging consensus on the Korean nuclear issue and the ROK abided by the non-nuclearization of the peninsula.

The ROK also held that the issue should be peacefully settled through dialogue, Roh said.

Roh spoke highly of the Beijing talks and appreciated China's efforts in hosting the meeting, hoping the process could be continued.

(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2003)