China calls for restraint on Korean Peninsula issue

BEIJING - China called on relevant parties to maintain restraint and not exacerbate tensions on the Korean Peninsula, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday.

It was reported that the United Nations Security Council will vote on Friday on a proposal to strengthen sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) over its repeated missile launches.

China remains committed to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, maintaining peace and stability there and resolving problems through dialogue and negotiation, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular news briefing.

The UN Security Council resolutions are explicit about the DPRK's use of ballistic missile technologies, the spokesperson said, adding that the Security Council press statement recently expressed opposition to the missile launch.

"The Korean Peninsula is now in a critical stage in terms of restarting dialogue," Hua said.

All parties should exercise restraint and should not do anything to further aggravate regional tensions in order to maintain peace and stability in the region, Hua said, adding that the actions of the Security Council should also realize these goals.

Given the DPRK has sped up the development of its nuclear missile program, China agrees to step up efforts with the international community against nuclear proliferation, Hua said.

China advocates strengthening efforts for peace and dialogue as tensions escalate on the peninsula, Hua said, noting that an emphasis on preventing nuclear proliferation and promoting peace and dialogue should also be strengthened.

China is willing to bring the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue back to the track of peaceful resolution as soon as possible, Hua said.