Hu stressed that China has been committed to an independent foreign policy of peace and has developed friendship and cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. He said China stands for equality and mutual respect between countries. Like other countries in the world, China must uphold its own sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests. At the same time, China is willing to properly handle differences and disagreements in state-to-state relations in accordance with the basic norms governing international relations and the principle of mutual understanding, mutual accommodation, dialogue and consultation.

Hu pointed out that over the years, relations between China and other Asia-Pacific countries, including the United States and China's Asian neighbors, have grown steadily and together have contributed to development in the Asia-Pacific region. Mutual trust between China and other countries in the region has deepened as part of a common response to tough challenges, and cooperation has continuously expanded through the pursuit of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. At present, relations between China and other Asia-Pacific countries offer unprecedented opportunities. China is ready to work with other countries to seize opportunities, meet challenges and promote peace and development in the region and beyond.

With regard to the situation on the Korean peninsula, Hu said there was high tension on the Korean peninsula a few weeks ago. China maintained close contact and coordination with other parties and made relentless efforts to help ease the tension and maintain peace and stability on the peninsula. China urged the North and the South to be calm and exercise restraint, refrain from any action that might escalate tension and undermine peace and stability on the peninsula, and enter into dialogue and contact as quickly as possible, if necessary, to seek an appropriate solution. China also called on relevant parties to work to ease tension and contribute to peace and stability on the peninsula. Thanks to joint efforts by China and other parties, Hu said there have been signs of relaxation. He said China hopes the relevant parties will seize the opportunity to engage in active interactions, resume the process of dialogue and consultation as soon as possible, and ensure that the situation on the peninsula moves forward in a positive direction.

Hu said as a close neighbor and friend of the DPRK and the ROK, China hopes the North and South will improve relations and achieve reconciliation and cooperation through dialogue and consultation and eventually realize independent and peaceful reunification. He said China supports their efforts in this regard. He also said this is in the fundamental interests of both the North and the South and conducive to peace and stability on the peninsula.

Hu pointed out that China pays a great deal of attention to the Korean nuclear issue. He said China stands for achieving denuclearization of the peninsula in a peaceful way through dialogue and consultation in order to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia. To this end, China actively advocates and promotes the Six-Party Talks process. Hu said China hopes that proceeding from the overall interests of the denuclearization of the peninsula and regional peace and stability, the parties concerned will take active measures and create conditions for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks. He said he is convinced that as long as the parties respect each other, engage in consultation on an equal footing, and implement the September 19 Joint Statement in a comprehensive and balanced way through the Six-Party Talks, they will arrive at an appropriate solution to the Korean nuclear issue and contribute to lasting peace and stability on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia.