China hopeful on regional stability after first China-US security dialogue

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By CGTN's Su Yuting

Korean Peninsula tensions, the South China Sea issue and anti-terrorism cooperation were all on the agenda when senior Chinese and US officials met in Washington, DC for a new China-US Diplomatic and Security Dialogue on Wednesday.

“China hopes that based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, China and the US can enhance exchanges on counter-terrorism,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang at a press conference on Thursday. “China has been making its efforts on global anti-terrorism. We have also had effective cooperation with relevant countries."

Geng also reiterated China's stance on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Beijing has proposed a dual-track approach and "suspension for suspension," where the DPRK freezes its weapons programs in exchange for the US and South Korea pausing joint military drills.

The Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Facility /VCG Photo

He said the crux of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue does not lie with the Chinese side, and that China hopes other stakeholders can “play their due role and take their due responsibility to… secure peace and stability in Northeast Asia.”

South Korean K-136 Kooryong 130mm 36-round multiple rocket launch system fires rockets during a media day presentation of a joint live firing drill between South Korea and the US at the Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon, 65 kms northeast of Seoul, April 21, 2017. /VCG Photo

The establishment of the China-US Diplomatic and Security Dialogue is based on a consensus reached between presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump during their meeting in April.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi held talks with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Defense James Mattis at the first round on Wednesday. General Fang Fenghui, chief of the Joint Staff Department of China’s armed forces, also attended the dialogue.