Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo has proposed stronger cooperation between South Korea and China to facilitate peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Dai made the proposal in a meeting with South Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Shin Kak-soo in China.

Dai reportedly said he hopes to gradually step up bilateral dialogue and communication to increase exchanges and cooperation.

Experts believe the senior officials may have also discussed both the situation on the Korean Peninsula following the sinking of South Korea’s “Cheonan” naval vessel and the stalled six-party talks.