Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo has stressed the need for China and the U.S. to work together to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and to create the mood for dialogue.

China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency said Monday that Dai made the call when he phoned U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday shortly after wrapping up a trip to Seoul.

Dai expressed deep concerns over the dynamics of the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula and stressed that his country is strongly opposed to any actions that raise tensions on the peninsula.

In response, Clinton reportedly said Beijing and Washington share the view that stability must be maintained on the Korean Peninsula and that bilateral cooperation is crucial. She added that the U.S. will work with China for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.