China's Xi to keep playing 'constructive role' in denuclearizing N. Korea

BEIJING, Dec. 18 (Yonhap) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping told the visiting National Assembly speaker of South Korea that he will continue to play a "constructive role" in persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear capability, reaffirming Beijing's long-standing commitment to the North Korean nuclear issue, a South Korean official who attended the meeting said Thursday.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Chung Ui-hwa, speaker of South Korea's National Assembly, at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing. Chung is on a five-day visit to China.

"China will fulfill its constructive role in realizing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Xi told Chung, according to the South Korean official who took part in the meeting between Xi and Chung.

Xi also said China has been trying to persuade the nations involved in the long-stalled six-party talks to resume the negotiating process. The six-nation talks, involving South Korea, North Korea, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan, have been halted since late 2008.

kdh@yna.co.kr
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