Xi: France can help to push talks

In phone call with Macron, he urges constructive Korean Peninsula role

President Xi Jinping held a phone talk with a leader of a Western country over the Korean Peninsula issue for the third consecutive day on Friday, speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron.

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, France should play a constructive role in alleviating the situation of the Korean Peninsula and restarting talks, Xi told Macron.

Analysts said China has been making practical efforts to prevent war on the peninsula after the nuclear test conducted on Sunday by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The Korean Peninsula issue can only be resolved through peaceful means, including dialogue and coordination, Xi said.

China sticks to its goal of denuclearization of the peninsula, firmly maintains the international nonproliferation system and firmly safeguards the peace and stability of Northeast Asia, he added.

Xi pointed out that China deems France and Europe as key forces to maintain the world’s stability and prosperity, and said China and France should keep close communications on major global and regional issues.

France is dedicated to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, Macron said, adding that his country attaches great importance to China’s stance and role in resolving the peninsula nuclear issue.

France would like to enhance cooperation with China to properly resolve the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, he added.

Macron congratulated China on its successful hosting of the BRICS Summit in Xiamen, Fujian province, from Sept 3 to 5. It’s important for France and China to jointly face global challenges, he said, adding that the two sides should enhance cooperation on economic, nuclear and environmental issues.

The phone call followed Xi’s phone conversations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday and US President Donald Trump on Wednesday. During the two phone calls, Xi reiterated China’s stance on seeking peaceful resolution of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Ruan Zongze, executive vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, said the international community is strongly focused on the Korean Peninsula issue, adding that the DPRK has challenged the authority of the UN Security Council and undermined regional security.

Zhou Jin contributed to this story.