Strategic communication and political trust must be strengthened with the Republic of Korea (ROK) said Premier Li Keqiang when meeting ROK president Moon Jae-in Tokyo on Wednesday.

As ROK’s friendly neighbor and vital partner, China would like to strengthen strategic communication and political trust to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote further easing of regional situation, Li said.

He called on ROK to continue to properly handle the issue concerning the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system. Both countries should align their development strategies and expand exchanges in various fields, he said.

Li said many new consensuses were reached at the seventh China-Japan-ROK leaders’ meeting on Wednesday to enhance cooperation, safeguard regional stability and development. China will take over the presidency of the trilateral cooperation and expect to work with Japan and ROK to promote trilateral cooperation and regional integration, he said.

Li extended congratulations on the successful summit meeting between Moon and Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

He said China appreciates ROK’s endeavors and welcomes the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula moving back to the track of dialogue.

All parties involved should take the opportunity to maintain dialogue and improve ties, and make efforts to achieve long-term peace on the peninsula, he said. China will continue to play a constructive role in this area, Li said.

Moon said his meeting with Kim was a success and extended gratitude to China for its strong support and cooperation. ROK hopes China will continue its support for the summit meeting between the DPRK and the US, and the process to achieve peace on the peninsula.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership and bilateral ties have been restored and normalized, Moon said. ROK hopes the two neighbors can keep high-level exchanges, consolidate political trust and promote pragmatic cooperation, he said.