China calls for dialogue on Korean Peninsula

BEIJING - A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Thursday said China hopes relevant parties on the Korean Peninsula will improve their relations through dialogue.

"We hope relevant parties will improve their relations through dialogue and properly resolve relevant issues," spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a press briefing.

In response to a question about preconditions of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for opening dialogue with the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), Hua said negotiation is the only proper way to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue.

She said it is imperative to step up diplomatic efforts and return to negotiations as soon as possible.

The National Defense Commission of the DPRK on Thursday listed conditions for resuming talks with Washington and Seoul amid growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The commission urged the United States and the ROK to stop engaging in provocative acts, fully apologize for their aggression and give assurances that they will not carry out war games designed to intimidate the DPRK.

Hua said China is ready to work with relevant parties and the international community to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, push forward the six-party talks and realize peace and security in Northeast Asia.

She said maintaining peace and stability in Northeast Asia and realizing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula are in the common interests of all relevant parties, and are common responsibility of them.

She urged relevant parties to remain calm and jointly work to defuse the situation as soon as possible.