China stresses dialogue to resolve Korean Peninsula issue

China on Friday stressed on a dialogue to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue after the UN Security Council strongly condemned the latest ballistic missile launch by North Korea.

In a press statement on Thursday, the 15-nation UNSC demanded that Pyongyang immediately cease further actions that violate relevant resolutions banning the country from missile launches and nuclear tests, Xinhua news agency reported.

China remains committed to denuclearising the Korean Peninsula, maintaining peace and stability there and resolving problems through dialogue and negotiation, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a regular news briefing.

"China has always emphasised that the UN Security Council resolutions on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue should be implemented in a comprehensive and balanced manner, which requires that all related parties should strive for peaceful solution to the Korean Peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation," Lu said.

The Security Council press statement expressed opposition to the missile launch and reiterated its stance on resolving problems through dialogue, Lu said.

He called on all sides to refrain from actions that escalate regional tensions.

--IANS

ksk/dg