CHINA praised the decision made by Democratic People’s Republic of Korea top leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump at their historic Singapore summit on June 12 to start to resolve problems in the Korean Peninsula.

“It is important progress made in pushing forward the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula as well as its political settlement,” the Foreign Ministry said on June 12 in a statement after the summit concluded.

China spoke positively of related parties’ efforts in making the meeting a success, and “it is also the common appeal of the international community,” the statement said.

Trump and Kim concluded the summit by citing meaningful progress toward achieving peace and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

A document signed after the summit by the two leaders affirmed Kim’s commitment to complete denuclearization of the peninsula and Trump’s commitment to provide security guarantees to the DPRK. That, Trump pledged, would include freezing U.S. military exercises with the Republic of Korea while negotiations continue.

“We are prepared to start a new history and we are ready to write a new chapter between our nations,” Trump said at a news conference after the summit. Trump praised the role China and President Xi Jinping have played.

“History has proven over and over again that adversaries can indeed become friends,” Trump said.

Kim, speaking in Korean, said after the signing ceremony, “We had a historic meeting and decided to leave the past behind.” He added, “The world will see a major change.”

Kim left Singapore in the afternoon after signing the document. Before his private session with Trump in the morning, Kim said, “The path leading here was not easy.”

“The old prejudices and practices worked as obstacles on our way forward, but we overcame all of them and we are here today.”

The Foreign Ministry said that China is committed to realizing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula and peacefully resolving the peninsula issue through political talks between all relevant parties, and it has made unremitting efforts, it said.

“We hope and support the two countries to implement the consensus made by their leaders, promote follow-up negotiations, and further consolidate and expand the achievement, making the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue a sustainable and irreversible process,” it said.

As a close neighbor and an important party involved, China stands ready to work with relevant parties and continue to be dedicated to realizing denuclearization on the peninsula as well as establishing the peace mechanism there, it said.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said earlier on June 12 that it is important and positive for the top leaders of the two countries to sit down and conduct equal talks, which is creating history. China welcomes and supports the meeting and hopes the two leaders will avoid disruptions, build mutual trust and overcome difficulties, he said.

The summit started with a one-on-one session between the two leaders, accompanied only by translators, and was followed by an expanded session with the attendance of advisers and then a working lunch.

While the document mentions no details about denuclearization, Trump said the two sides have agreed to vigorous negotiations for the implementation of the agreement as soon as possible. He said sanctions will remain until nuclear weapons are no longer a factor.

The U.S. had earlier insisted on a rapid process of complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but has tapered down the expectation recently. Trump indicated on June 12 that it will take a long time, even from a scientific standpoint.

The U.S. president said that at an appropriate time he is looking forward to visiting Pyongyang and will also invite Kim to visit the White House.

The cordial mood on June 12 and the smiles on the faces of the two leaders pose a big contrast to the war of words they engaged and the war threats they made and alarmed the world just months ago.  

(Source: China Daily)