Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi said in Beijing Saturday that China is committed to maintaining peace and stability and advancing the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula.

He made the remarks when meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

Yang reiterated that the stance of the Chinese Government on the Korean Peninsula is "consistent and clear."

"We advocate addressing and settling the problem through dialogue and consultation and by peaceful means," he said.

Yang said that it is in the common interests of all relevant sides to properly handle the Korean nuclear issue, stressing "it is also the common responsibility for all."

China is willing to make concerted efforts with all sides, including the United States, to continue advancing the process of Six-Party talks and play a constructive role for realizing goals set in the September 19 Joint Statement in a comprehensive and balanced manner, Yang said.

September 19 Joint Statement was signed on September 19, 2005, in which the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) promised to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2013)