BEIJING – China has said it appreciated the efforts of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in promoting denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and advancing the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang made the remarks at a daily press conference on Friday while responding to a reporter’s question regarding a comment of ROK President Moon Jae-in. Reports quoted the ROK leader as saying in his New Year press conference on Thursday: "China has played a positive role in denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and improving inter-Korean relations."

Lu said that China appreciated the ROK's commitment to promoting denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation, as well as pushing inter-Korean reconciliation.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula had undergone important and positive changes over the past year thanks to joint efforts from relevant parties, Lu said.

China hopes all relevant parties would maintain the momentum of dialogue to constantly promote the Korean Peninsula denuclearization and advance political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue, he added.

"China always supports inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation and continuously improving relations.”

“China also always encourages the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States to meet each other half-way and resolve their own concerns through dialogue and consultation," Lu said, adding that China would as always play a positive role to this end.