Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg?in Beijing?Thursday afternoon.

On the Korean Peninsula issues, Dai said China has always held a highly responsible attitude and played a constructive role. It is of great urgency that parties involved should jointly prevent the escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

It's the strong desire of the people on the Korean Peninsula and the international community that tensions on the peninsula could ease off and they are appealing for dialogue and peace rather than confrontation and war, Dai said.

The six-party talks is the only effective way to solve the peninsular issues and realize its peace and stability, Dai said, adding the September 19 Joint Statement issued at the fourth round of the six-party talks in 2005 is a hard-won result of cooperation, and should be fully implemented by all parties.

China and the United States should strengthen coordination and cooperation, push for the resumption of negotiation process, including dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK), as soon as possible, and promote peace and stability on the peninsula and in the northeast Asia, the state councilor said.

Steinberg expressed appreciation to China for its important role on the Korean Peninsula affairs. He said the U.S. side paid high attention to the situation on the peninsula. The United States and China share common interests in maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula, and in realizing its denuclearization.

The United States will join hands with China to promote the contact and negotiation process including dialogue between the DPRK and the ROK, Steinberg said.

The two senior diplomats also discussed China-U.S. relations during their talks that lasted for hours.

Dai said the development of China-U.S. relations keeps positive momentum. China will work with the United States to enhance mutual trust, expand consensus, deepen cooperation and properly handle sensitive issues, so as to push the relationship to proceed alone a cooperative and right track on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit.

Steinberg said the United States endeavors to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive U.S.-China relationship, and will strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China in all areas.

Earlier on Thursday, Steinberg met with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun and Chinese special representative for Korean Peninsula affairs Wu Dawei.

After his arrival in Beijing on Wednesday, Steinberg also met with Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai.

Steinberg is on a three-day visit to Beijing. This is also his third China visit this year.