Chinese President Hu Jintao met with visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Friday in Beijing.

"It is essential for the two countries to consult closely on major international and regional issues, especially the highly complicated nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula," Hu said.

Hu said Rice arrived in Beijing shortly after State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan visited the United States as his special envoy.

"This shows that US President George W. Bush and the US government attach great importance to US-China relations," he said.

Rice echoed Hu, saying her visit is a "sign of close cooperation" between the two countries.
 
She also said "it is important that in the current difficult and complex situation, the two countries coordinate closely and share ideas on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue."

Hu said the Chinese side has always been an advocate of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. China opposes nuclear weapons proliferation and seeks a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue.

China "firmly opposes" North Korea's nuclear test, and adheres to UN Security Council Resolution 1718, Hu said, stressing that China will continue to pursue a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and negotiation.

Hu said China is willing to make joint efforts with all relevant parties to handle the issue calmly and with restraint, so as to prevent the situation from deteriorating or getting out of control, and to actively create conditions for an early resumption of the six-party talks so as to maintain peace and security on the peninsula and in northeast Asia.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test on Oct. 9.

The United Nations Security Council on Oct. 14 unanimously adopted a resolution imposing sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear test.

Rice's visit comes amid international efforts to ease the tension. China is the third leg of Rice's four-nation tour, which has already taken her to Japan and South Korea. From China she will travel to Russia.

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2006)

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