China urges restraint after US-ROK joint drill

BEIJING -- China on Wednesday urged all relevant parties to avoid actions that may increase tensions on the Korean Peninsula following a drill near the area by the airforces of the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

"We are aware of the drill," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at the daily press briefing, adding that given the highly complicated and sensitive situation, China is opposed to any party taking actions that would increase tensions and damage regional peace and stability.

According to reports, US strategic bombers took off from Guam on Monday and conducted a drill with ROK fighter jets. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said the drill concerned its major targets and called it a "reckless provocation" that could push the peninsula to the brink of war.

Geng said the priority was to ease the situation and restart dialogue and negotiation. He urged all sides to remain calm and restrained, to create conditions for contact and dialogue.