Xi: Korean Peninsula should not have warfare or unrest

President Xi Jinping said the Korean Peninsula can "neither be nuclearized nor have warfare and unrest" during a telephone conversation with Republic of Korea President Park Geun-hye on Friday night.

Xi said it's hoped that all the relevant parties consider the big picture of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and "deal with the current situation in a calm manner and consistently adhere to the right direction of dialogue and consultation".

China, under any circumstances, is firmly committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, is fully committed to maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula and upholds a solution through dialogue and consultation, Xi said.

"This serves the common interests of the countries in Northeast Asia, including China and the Republic of Korea," Xi added.

Xi said that the Chinese side is willing to continue maintaining communication and coordination with the ROK regarding issues on the Korean Peninsula.

Park said the ROK expects close coordination by the international community and expects the UN Security Council to respond as soon as possible to effectively tackle the current situation on the Korean Peninsula.

On Friday, Xi also held a telephone conversation with his US counterpart, Barack Obama, at the latter's invitation, during which the two leaders exchanged Lunar New Year greetings.

Xi stressed that the current situation on the Korean Peninsula is complicated and sensitive.

Xi said the Chinese side supports safeguarding the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the international nonproliferation system, and is willing to maintain communication and coordination with each and every party involved, including the US.

Obama voiced grave concerns over the DPRK's renewed nuclear test and its announcement for new launching activity.

Obama said the US side hopes that the international community will strengthen coordination and propel the United Nations (UN) Security Council to adopt measures to cope with the situation effectively.

Xinhua contributed to this story.