China's Xi says willing to promote dialogue between Koreas

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China's new president Xi Jinping (above) told South Korea's president on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, that China was willing to help to promote dialogue between North Korea and South Korea, saying stability on the Korean peninsula was in China's interest, China's foreign ministry said. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP

BEIJING (REUTERS) - China is willing to promote dialogue between North and South Korea as stability on the Korean peninsula is also in China's interests, President Xi Jinping told his South Korean counterpart on Wednesday, China's Foreign Ministry said.
Beijing is Pyongyang's sole diplomatic and economic ally, but relations have been strained by North Korea's bellicose actions, including carrying out a third nuclear test last month.
"Peace and stability on the Korean peninsula is in the vital interests of the people of the peninsula and also of the Chinese people," Mr Xi told President Park Geun Hye in a telephone call, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"China is committed to maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula and realising the peninsula's denuclearisation, and upholds resolving the issue through dialogue and consultation," Mr Xi added.