China welcomes cooling tensions on Korean Peninsula

China welcomes the recent de-escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula, and China supports all efforts that will help resolve the nuclear issue through dialogue and consultation, Premier Li Keqiang said.

Li made the remarks when asked about Beijing’s expectations for the peninsula situation at a press conference held at the end of the annual meeting of the National People's Congress in Beijing on Tuesday.

China will continue to do its best to push for the peninsula's denuclearization and secure peace and stability there, Li said.

It is hoped all parties involved will show sincerity, take concrete actions, and get the nuclear issue back on track for negotiations, so more new progress will be made towards the peninsula's denuclearization, peace and stability, Li said.

This is in the interest of all parties concerned and of the whole world, he added.

The peninsula is China's close neighbor and happenings there directly concern China's interests, so it should be expected China has been paying attention to the situation, Li said.