President of China, Xi Jinping (L) and his wife, Peng Liyuan (R), arrive at the Hamburg International Airport ahead of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany. Earlier in Berlin Xi met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and expressed support for the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Photo by Carsten Koall/EPA
July 6 (UPI) -- Xi Jinping expressed support for a peaceful resolution of the "problems" facing the Korean peninsula and backed compliance with existing United Nations Security Council sanctions resolutions during his first summit with the South Korean president.
The Chinese leader, who came under criticism from U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley on Wednesday, said in Berlin "all relevant parties should strictly observe U.N. Security Council resolutions," Chinese state media reported.
Xi also told Moon Jae-in China "adheres to solutions that resolve problems through dialogue and negotiation" and is in favor of "realizing the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, and maintaining peace and stability."
China and South Korea relations have deteriorated following a joint decision to deploy the U.S. THAAD battery on the Korean peninsula.
Xi, however, said Thursday that Beijing wants the "healthy and secure development" of China-Korea relations but Seoul must take into account "China's legitimate concern," a possible reference to THAAD, according to Yonhap.
Haley said Wednesday China is not doing enough to stop North Korea's nuclear weapons development.
"There are countries that are allowing, even encouraging, trade with North Korea in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions," Haley said. "We will work with China...but we will not repeat the inadequate approaches of the past that have brought us to this dark day."
Moon condemned North Korea's latest missile launch while speaking at a think tank in Berlin, but did not rule out direct dialogue with Kim Jong Un under the correct circumstances.
"When the right conditions are fostered and when there is a chance to reverse the current tension and situation of confrontation...I am ready to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at any time and any place," Moon said.
Xi and Moon are expected to convene with other world leaders at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany.
Sources in North Korea have recently said Pyongyang continues to attract investment from Chinese companies.
