China urges US, North Korea to maintain calm

China on Monday called on the US and North Korea to exercise restraint and avoid escalation of tensions after the US deployed a nuclear aircraft carrier close to the Korean peninsula.

The US Pacific Command confirmed on Saturday that it has mobilised the nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and its attack group to waters near North Korea in response to North Korea's launch of a medium-range missile into the sea on April 5, Efe news reported.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a press conference that Beijing is closely monitoring the situation.

The Carl Vinson, which was on its way to Australia after participating in annual joint military exercises with South Korea just a month back, was steered back toward the Korean Peninsula, following US President Donald Trump's meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Florida last week.

During the meet, both leaders discussed the need to prevent fresh provocations by Pyongyang, an ally of Beijing.

--IANS

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