China maintains contact with relevant parties on DPRK satellite launch: FM

BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China said Thursday that it has made contact with all relevant parties since the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's satellite launch.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a daily press briefing.

"China has stayed in contact with all relevant parties on the situation of the Korean Peninsula," he said.

"The volatility of the situation on the Korean Peninsula is rooted in security concerns," Hong said, adding that uncertainty has been growing recently.

Hong said the DPRK's satellite launch has highlighted the significance and urgency of resuming the six-party talks, which are aimed at realizing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

"We hope all sides concerned will make concerted efforts to resume and advance the six-party talks process," he added.

In response to a question on possible sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council, Hong said the Chinese side holds that the Security Council's response should be "prudent and moderate" and conducive to maintaining the overall peace and stability of the peninsula instead of escalating tensions there.

China will maintain close coordination with all parties, in an effort to properly handle the current situation and safeguard the peace and stability of the peninsula and the region, he said.

He reiterated China's regret that the DPRK launched a satellite on Wednesday amid the universal concern of the international community, saying the DPRK is entitled to the peaceful use of outer space, which is subject to relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Hong said China has made unremitting efforts to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and to promote the denuclearization of the peninsula, and its achievements have been widely recognized by the international community.

China is ready to work with relevant parties to seek the ultimate solution to the long-lasting peace and order of the region and the peninsula, he said.

The six-party talks, which involve the Republic of Korea, the DPRK, China, the United States, Japan and Russia, began in 2003 but stalled in December 2008.

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