China, S. Korea discuss bilateral ties, DPRK's nuclear issues

SEOUL, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese and South Korean diplomats met Tuesday to discuss bolstering bilateral ties and cooperation on nuclear issues of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Seoul's foreign ministry said.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya met with his South Korean counterpart Shin Kak-soo in Seoul for what is called " strategic talks," the second of such meeting since December 2008, the ministry said.

The two leaders renewed their vow to make efforts to bring the DPRK back to the stalled six-party talks aimed at ending its nuclear arms programs, which Pyongyang unilaterally quit in April 2009 in protest against U.N. sanction.

They also discussed enhancing cooperation on the upcoming Shanghai World Expo, which will be held in China's Shanghai from May 1 to Oct. 31 this year. The designation of "Visit China Year 2010" was also launched in Seoul this year, according to the ministry.

The talks will help consolidate the "strategic partnership" between the two countries, the ministry said.