BEIJING - Vice President Xi Jinping has called on relevant parties to maintain dialogue and contact and work to improve the the Korean Peninsula situation.

Xi made the remarks when he met with National Defense Minister Kim Kuan-jin of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Thursday afternoon.

"Peace and stability on the Peninsula has a significant bearing on regional security," Xi said.

He expressed the hope that relevant parties would attach most importance to peace and stability, overcome difficulties, maintain dialogue and contact and address each other's concerns through consultation so to gradually improve the Korean Peninsula situation.

Kim Kuan-jin said the ROK side appreciated the constructive role that China had played regarding the Korean Peninsula issue. He said the ROK was ready to strengthen exchanges with China in various areas and promote common development of both countries so to safeguard regional peace and stability.

Both sides spoke highly of the development of bilateral relations since the two countries forged diplomatic relations 19 years ago.

Xi said in the new period of history, China and the ROK should work to enrich the content of their strategic and cooperative partnership and increase mutual understanding and strategic trust.

Xi said China and the ROK should focus on the basic interests of the two peoples and on regional peace and stability. He also said the two countries should deepen pragmatic cooperation and properly address sensitive issues so as to achieve healthier, steadier growth of bilateral links and to advance links between the two militaries to a new stage.

Kim Kuan-jin is in Beijing for his first visit to China after being appointed to his current position last year. He will meet Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and Chief of General Staffs Chen Bingde. Kim will also visit a number of military facilities.