China will continue to play a constructive role in politically resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Premier Li Keqiang said while holding a meeting with Republic of Korea (ROK)’s president Moon Jae-in on May 9.

Both Premier Li and Moon are in Japan for the seventh China-Japan-ROK leaders’ meeting which was held on May 9.

Premier Li congratulated the successfully held inter-Korean summit at the end of April, saying China welcomes the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is back to the track of dialogue.

Relevant parties should seize the opportunities, maintain the correct direction of holding dialogue, making contacts and improving mutual relations, and also make efforts to resolve the Peninsula issue politically in order to achieve lasting peace for the peninsula, Premier Li stressed.

China and the ROK are friendly neighbors and important partners, Premier Li noted, saying that China is willing to strengthen strategic communication with the ROK, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen mutual benefit cooperation, and push forward easing of the regional situation.

China hopes that ROK will continue to properly handle the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system issue, Premier Li added.

Moon thanked China’s support and cooperation on the inter-Korean summit. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Sino-ROK strategic partnership, while the bilateral relations have been restored and normalized, Moon said, urging both sides to maintain high-level exchanges, consolidate political mutual trust, promote pragmatic cooperation and push for new progress in bilateral relations.