BEIJING — China welcomed positive signals released by leaders of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on improving their ties, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Jan 6.

The year 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Korean nation, said spokesman Hong Lei at a regular press briefing.

As a close neighbor of the Korean Peninsula, China has always supported the ROK and the DPRK mending their ties through dialogue, pushing forward reconciliation and cooperation, and ultimately achieving independent and peaceful reunification, he said.

ROK President Park Geun-hye on Jan 2 vowed to lay an “actual and detailed” foundation to open a way for reunification of the Korean Peninsular in the year 2015, as this year marks the 70- year division of the peninsula.

One day before, top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un called on the ROK to halt all provocative war maneuvers and emphasized that there is no reason not to hold high-level north-south talks in a televised New Year speech.

It is the first time since Kim took power in 2011 the top DPRK leader commented on the inter-Korean summit.

Kim said stalled high-level contacts can be resumed and other talks can be held issue by issue “if the atmosphere and environment is created.”

Under the current situation, China hopes the two sides to bear in mind the overall situation, seize opportunities, and take concrete measures to make positive efforts in improving north-south relations as well as safeguarding regional peace and stability, said Hong.

The latest round of senior-level contact was held in February 2014 and led to the reunion of separated families.