China would like to return bilateral ties with South Korea to the track of healthy development, President Xi Jinping said in Berlin on Thursday.

He made the remarks while meeting his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in ahead of a G20 summit in the northern German port city of Hamburg.

President Xi has praised South Korea's efforts to develop bilateral ties and its willingness to properly handle sensitive issues. The two sides should respect each other's core interests and major concerns, the Chinese president added.

Moon said his country pays high attention to its ties with China and is willing to strengthen high level exchanges and cooperation in all fields.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula issue.

China is committed to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and proposes all parties deescalate tensions through dialogue and consultation, Xi told Moon.

Moon expressed willingness to cooperate with the Chinese side on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and uphold peace and stability in the region.