UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 26 -- China welcomes the improving situation on the Korean Peninsula and calls for further efforts to advance the political settlement of the peninsula issue, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Wednesday.

During the meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Wang said China has always supported the improvement of ties between South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as well as the DPRK-U.S. dialogue.

China appreciates Seoul's efforts to improve its ties with Pyongyang, ease military tensions and advance the denuclearization process on the peninsula, Wang said.

The international community welcomes and appreciates the Pyongyang Declaration and the sincerity the DPRK shows has gained global recognition, he said, expressing the hope that South Korea and the DPRK will continue to try to implement the consensus reached between the two sides and accelerate the improvement of bilateral relations.

All parties concerned should learn historical lessons and meet each other halfway, said Wang, adding that China is willing to maintain close coordination with South Korea.

For her part, Kang said the Pyongyang summit between the leaders of South Korea and the DPRK has injected momentum into the settlement of the peninsula issue and the safeguarding of peace on the peninsula.

South Korea supports direct communication between the United States and the DPRK and hopes all related parties will make further efforts to speed up the denuclearization process on the peninsula, she said.

South Korea highly values the important role China has played in addressing the peninsula issue and hopes to enhance communication and coordination with China in this regard, said Kang.