Beijing says maintaining peace, stability on Korean Peninsula serves interests of all

A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry has emphasized the need to maintain peace and stability and promote a political settlement on the Korean Peninsula in response to the United States and the Republic of Korea's decision to end an annual joint military exercise earlier than planned.

The ROK's Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Wednesday that the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, which began on Monday, will now end on Friday after a proposal by the US side, Xinhua News Agency reported. The exercise had been scheduled to continue into next week.

"Maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and promoting a political settlement of the peninsula issue are in the common interests of all parties," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.