Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ban Ki-Moon here Tuesday morning.

The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Speaking highly of bilateral relations, the two sides agreed to continue making joint efforts to push forward the China-ROK all-round partnership of cooperation.

At the invitation of Li, Ban will stay in Beijing for a two-day working visit. Upon his arrival late Monday, Ban was reported to have said he planed to discuss matters including the early resumption of six-party talks and a plan of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to test-fire a missile.

During the meeting with Ban on Tuesday afternoon, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said all the relevant parties should keep to peaceful resolution of the Korean Peninsula issues through dialogues under such circumstances, and prevent from deteriorating the tense situation.

U.S. President George W. Bush said on Monday that the DPRK should make clear its intent on possible long-range missile test.

Washington has recently notified Tokyo that it will deploy Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) missiles in Okinawa, southern Japan by the end of the year and Japan plans to accept it, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported Monday, quoting government sources.

Tang urged all parties concerned to promote an early resumption of the six-party talks halted since November of last year, and help maintain through common efforts the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.

Source: Xinhua