Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi expressed hope that the two Koreas will use dialogue to resolve matters related to the death of a South Korean tourist at North Korea’s Mount Geumgang. A South Korean woman was shot dead by a North Korean soldier at the North's resort about ten days ago.

The Chinese top diplomat made the remarks in a meeting with South Korean counterpart Yu Myung-hwan in Singapore Wednesday.

According to a Foreign Ministry spokesman, the South Korean minister said the truth of the Geumgang shooting should be brought to light and measures to prevent similar incidents should be devised.

The two agreed to continue discussions of ways to incorporate bilateral strategic partnerships, and ways to strengthen ties between the two countries across all sectors — from security to trade.

The Chinese foreign minister promised to facilitate a visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao to Seoul, and to closely work together with the South in settling the North Korean nuclear issue.