China urges restraint on Korean Peninsula nuke issue

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-26 19:16

BEIJING - China on Thursday called on parties involved in the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue to show restraint and do more to promote the six-party nuclear talks.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks in response to a question concerning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s planned satellite launch.

"We hope all parties involved to show restraint and keep cool-headed at the current stage, and do more to facilitate the six-party talks process and contribute to peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the northeast Asia," Qin said.

The DPRK declared on February 24 that it was going to launch a communications satellite as part of a peaceful space program. But the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea worry that the DPRK is going to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile.

The DPRK's Korean Central News Agency said Tuesday that any intervention in the country's space program could lead to a collapse of the already-stalled six-party talks, and declared that the launch would take place between April 4 and 8.

Qin urged all parties involved to properly settle relevant issues and make joint efforts to revitalize the six-party talks.

"China has clear and persistent stance on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and is ready to play a constructive role to maintain regional peace and stability," he added.