Xi's envoy welcomes improved inter-Korean relations

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Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Han Zheng said to Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in that China supports the conciliation and cooperation between the ROK and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

Han said the situation on the peninsula is undergoing positive changes as the ROK and the DPRK took the opportunity of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics to restart dialogue and commence cooperation. The relationship between the two sides has been improved.

He added that China hopes that the relevant parties would meet each other half way and make joint efforts to further ease tensions on the peninsula and push forward the political settlement process of the peninsula issue, during his meeting with Moon on Thursday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Han Zheng waves as he attends the opening ceremony of the 23rd Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, Feb. 9, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Moon expressed his appreciation for China's positive role in improving the situation on the Korean Peninsula, saying his country is willing to maintain communication and coordination with China to push forward the inter-Korean dialogue facilitated by the Winter Olympics, to solve the peninsula issue through peaceful means and to achieve sustainable peace and prosperity in the region.

Han, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is in the ROK to attend the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. He met with Moon on Thursday and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday.

Han Zheng visits the Chinese delegation at the China House for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Gangneung, South Korea, Feb. 9, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Further enhancing China-South Korea ties

Han said China and the ROK are close neighbors geographically and natural partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992, their relationship has achieved development in an all-round manner.

Recalling Moon's successful state visit to China in December and his telephone conversation with Xi at the beginning of this year, Han said the two leaders had reached important consensus on developing bilateral ties as well as strengthening coordination on key international and regional issues.

Guided by the consensus of the two leaders, China is willing to work with the ROK to insist on mutual respect and support, fully embark on communication and dialogue at all levels, further stimulate exchanges and cooperation, properly handle sensitive issues, and increase mutual understanding and trust, in order to push for constant progress in bilateral relations, Han told Moon.

A group photo of Han Zheng and the Chinese delegation at the China House for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Gangneung, South Korea, Feb. 9, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Moon said the ROK and China are important neighbors and cooperative partners and bilateral ties are now at a new starting point.

The ROK is willing to work in a positive manner with China to enhance political mutual trust and friendship, boost exchanges at all levels, deepen pragmatic cooperation, strengthen coordination on international and regional affairs and push forward the development of the ROK-China strategic cooperative partnership, Moon said.

Commitment to 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

Han met Friday with Bach, president of the IOC, saying that China attaches importance to the significant role of the Olympic Movement in economic and social development, adding that China is willing to make greater contributions to the Olympic affairs.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Han Zheng (L) meets with Thomas Bach, president of the IOC in PyeongChang, South Korea, Feb. 9, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

China attaches great importance to and strongly supports the preparations for the Beijing Winter Olympics, Han said.

China will fully honor the commitment it made when bidding for the 2022 Winter Olympics, will faithfully follow the Olympic Agenda 2020, hold on to the idea of hosting the Games on a green, sharing, open and clean basis, in order to deliver to the world a splendid, fantastic and extraordinary Winter Olympics, Han added.

Bach, for his part, spoke highly of China's preparations for the Beijing Winter Olympics, saying that he believes China will deliver a green, clean, high-tech and sustainable Games. The IOC will continue its close collaboration and cooperation with China to ensure a successful 2022 Winter Olympics, he said.

Han also met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Friday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Han Zheng (L) meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in PyeongChang, South Korea, Feb. 9, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Han said President Xi's vision to foster a new type of international relations and build a community with a shared future for mankind, has been incorporated into UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, and become an international consensus.

China always supports the UN in playing a positive role in international affairs, resolutely upholds the world body's authority and stature, and will continue to actively participate in and support the UN's work in various fields, Han said.

He added that China will facilitate building a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation, and actively promote the international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa based on ancient land and maritime trade routes.

The Chinese envoy said China will push for an economic globalization that is more open and inclusive, more balanced, more equitable and beneficial to all, and remain a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of the international order.

Guterres said the UN highly values China's international stature and influence, and is willing to work closely with China to address various challenges facing the world.

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