Xi: China sternly opposes N.K.’s nuke test in whatever form

In his bilateral summit with President Park Geun-hye, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday, “I oppose North Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons. I sternly oppose (the North’s) additional nuclear test in whatever form in the future.”

At the bilateral South Korea-China summit with the Chinese leader held in Bali, Indonesia, President Park noted she highly appreciates the Chinese commerce ministry’s speedy announcement of items subject to ban on export to North Korea as part of Beijing’s efforts to implement the U.N. Security Council resolution sanctioning the North, saying, “I urge China to kindly persuade North Korea to focus on its economic development.” In response, Xi made the remarks on the North’s nuclear development, saying, “We need to prevent the repetition of the vicious cycle regarding the North Korean nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.”

President Xi officially expressed his support for Park’s plan to construct a World Peace Park in the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas. When Park remarked on the day that “I appreciate Beijing for conveying South Korea’s intention to seek to construct a DMZ Peace Park to the North,” Xi replied, “I believe that if the DMZ Peace Park plan is implemented, it will contribute to regional peace and stability,” adding, “In order to add momentum to this issue, China will also conduct things that we can,” in expressing a proactive stance.

The two leaders also reportedly had consensus on problems with Japanese politicians’ practices of history distortion that have recurred in recent months.