China-Japan call for North Korea's denuclearisation through dialogue

China and Japan called for dealing with the issue of denuclearisation of North Korea through dialogue and consultation.

China's President Xi Jinping on Friday called on Japan to manage their contradictions and differences to ensure healthy bilateral relations in a telephone conversation with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

They further discussed the denuclearisation of North Korea as both the sides called for the resolution of the problem through dialogue and consultation.

Xi said, "China is willing to work with other parties to resolve respective concerns in a comprehensive and balanced way through dialogue and consultation, and jointly push for the long-term stability of the peninsula and the region."

On the other hand, Abe said "Japan welcomes the positive changes on the Korean Peninsula and supports peaceful solutions to the issues through dialogue. Japan highly values China's important role in solving the Korean Peninsula issue and hopes to enhance communication with China."

May 4 marks the 40th anniversary of Indo-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty.

Xi further said that bilateral relations between the two countries are at a significant stage when both the sides should inherit the past and usher in the future.

The two countries must abide by the principals of the four China-Japan political documents, implement the four-point consensus and stand by the state's rules, Xi added.

Further President Abe said that he attaches a great importance to the relations with China and is willing to push forward a comprehensive improvement and development of bilateral relations.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un announced on April 21 to suspend its nuclear tests and inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests.

Following that, on April 29 South Korean President Moon Jae-in's chief press secretary Yoon Young-chan confirmed that Punggye-ri nuclear site will be closed down by May amidst the presence of public and foreign experts from South Korea and the United States.