China willing to work with S. Korea, Xi tells Moon in phone conversation

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated South Korea's newly-elected President Moon Jae-in in a phone conversation on Thursday.

President Xi said China and South Korea are important countries in the region, and bilateral relations have brought fruitful results and benefited people of both nations. The relationship has contributed to regional peace and development since the two countries established diplomatic ties 25 years ago, he added.

Xi also said China is willing to work with South Korea to strengthen political mutual trust, enhance negotiations and handle disputes.

President Moon said that South Korea puts a high value on the relationship between the two nations, and is willing to improve the bilateral relationship with China, as well as resume the Six-Party Talks on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Moon also expressed appreciation for the Belt and Road Initiative, and said he is looking forward to the prosperity the project will bring to countries including South Korea.

‍During the phone conversation, Xi also expressed condolences for the five South Korean children killed in Tuesday's bus accident in east China's Shandong Province, and asked Moon to convey his sympathy to the families of the victims.

Moon expressed appreciation for Xi's words, as well as the immediate measures and support in dealing with the accident taken by the Chinese government.

The two leaders agreed to keep in touch and both look forward to their first face-to-face meeting.