By Kim Minji

President Moon Jae-in on Dec. 5, in a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at Cheong Wa Dae, asked for China's interest and support for peace on the Korean Peninsula and Seoul's plan to transform the Demilitarized Zone into an international peace zone.

"The peace process for achieving the complete denuclearization of and a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula is facing a crucial crossroads," the president said, adding, "Close bilateral dialogue and cooperation will serve as the power for stabilizing security in Northeast Asia and overcoming global economic uncertainty together."

Concurrently state councilor, Wang said, "Korea and China must follow basic international norms and protect multilateralism and free trade," expressing his intent to continue playing a constructive role for peace on the peninsula.

He also expressed his expectation for the president's trip to Beijing this month, saying, "China attaches importance to President Moon's visit to China for a trilateral summit with Japan in December."

President Moon replied by saying, "We expect the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Korea early next year to serve as an occasion to deepen the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries."

Earlier on Dec. 4, Wang also held talks with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul on bilateral relations, issues on the peninsula, and dialogue between North Korea and the U.S. on denuclearization. Both officials agreed on the importance of high-level bilateral exchanges including the trilateral summit and agreed to closely work together for peace on the peninsula.

kimmj7725@korea.kr