China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Friday reached an "important consensus" on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, as the United Nations pondered punitive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) following its claimed nuclear test.

The consensus was reached at a summit between President Hu Jintao and his ROK counterpart Roh Moo-hyun in Beijing.

During a 50-minute closed-door meeting, Hu and Roh exchanged views on bilateral relations and other regional and international issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

"We have reached many important consensuses on the issues," Hu said at the beginning of official talks after the meeting.

The Chinese Government opposes the DPRK's nuclear test and has made its position clear, Hu told his ROK guest.

"Under the current situation, we should firmly insist on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, oppose nuclear proliferation, insist on a peaceful settlement of the issue through dialogue and avoid action that might escalate the situation or allow it to get out of control," he said.

He added a peaceful resolution would help safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia, as well as conforming to the shared interests of related parties.

China is ready to go along with the concerned parties, including the ROK, in intensifying consultations and co-operation on the issue and will continue to play a positive role in denuclearizing the Peninsula, said Hu.

Roh arrived in China on Friday for a one-day working visit. His trip came four days after the DPRK declared it had conducted a nuclear test, sparking a strong international reaction and setting off UN moves to take measures against the country.

Roh agreed with Hu, saying the ROK is willing to work with China to promote a peaceful settlement of the issue through consultation, safeguarding regional peace and stability.

The two presidents also agreed to urge the DPRK to suspend all situation-worsening actions and return to the Six-Party Talks aimed at dismantling the country's nuclear programme.

The two leaders did not discuss the specific details of the United Nations Security Council's draft resolution, Song Min-soon, top security aide to Roh, told reporters after the summit.

The summit, although arranged before the DPRK's nuclear test on Monday, came amid a flurry of diplomacy to deal with the issue.

China and the ROK have so far put more weight on dialogue than pressure and sanctions, as favoured by the US and Japan.

During the one-day trip, Roh also met separately with Premier Wen Jiabao and Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, to discuss the DPRK nuclear issue and closer economic and political ties.

'Moderate resolution' likely

Observers believe the China-ROK agreement will help alleviate the strained situation.

The consensus will help generate a "comparatively moderate" resolution in the security council, said Yin Chengde, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies.

"This is because China and the ROK are key players in the Six-Party Talks and both wish for a peaceful settlement of the issue, although they both opposed the nuclear test," Yin said.

During Friday's summit, the two leaders agreed to support "appropriate and necessary measures" by the security council against the DPRK, while insisting on a peaceful resolution of the issue.

They also focused on ways to bring the DPRK back to the stalled Six-Party Talks, which also involve the US, China, Russia and Japan.

Yin said the DPRK may soften its stance over the nuclear issue if put under pressure from the international community, as its stubbornness would not benefit the country in the long term.

Source: China Daily