China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) discussed issues such as the six-party talks in Beijing during ROK's new chief negotiator's visit in Beijing, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang in Beijing Tuesday.

The ROK's new chief negotiator, Chun Young-woo, arrived in China last Thursday.

Qin said at the regular press conference that during Chun's visit, he and China's chief negotiator and Vice-Foreign Minister Wu Dawei held talks and exchanged in-depth views on issues concerning the six-party talks.

He said both sides agree that China and the ROK should continue close contact and cooperation and make efforts to implement the previously negotiated joint statement, realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and safeguard peace in northeast Asia.

Chun also exchanged views with some other senior officials of the Chinese Foreign Ministry during his visit, said the spokesman.

The six-party talks, involving China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United States, the ROK, Russia and Japan, have stalled after the first phase of the fifth round of talks ended last November.

The Joint Statement adopted at the end of the fourth round of talks on September 19, 2005 in Beijing was viewed as the most substantial document produced since talks began in August 2003.

The statement says that the six parties unanimously reaffirm that the goal of the talks is to ensure denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.

Chun was appointed as the chief negotiator to the six-party talks last month, replacing Song Min-soon who was promoted in January to the post of chief secretary to the president for unification, foreign and security policy.

Source: Xinhua