BEIJING, Feb. 20 -- China is delighted family reunions between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are set to take place, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday.

"We welcome and support family reunions," Hua told a daily news briefing as more than 100 people from the ROK reunite with their long-lost relatives on Thursday in the DPRK's resort of Mount Kumgang.

This is a right step taken by both sides, stemming from national interests, regional peace and stability, which will have a positive impact on improving DPRK-ROK ties and easing regional tensions, Hua said.

"We believe the two sides will move towards building mutual trust, reconciliation and cooperation by unleashing goodwill and continuous efforts," Hua said.

China sincerely hopes the two sides can seize opportunities, maintain the momentum for dialogue and cooperation, and make real efforts to improve relations and ease regional tensions, the spokeswoman said.

Accompanied by 58 family members, 82 elderly people from the ROK, will reunite in Mount Kumgang with their long-lost families for the first time in six decades. There will be a second round of three-day reunions from Sunday, and 88 people from the DPRK will meet 361 ROK relatives.

Millions of Koreans have been separated from their families since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in armistice, not peace treaty. Around 22,000 Koreans living across the border met during 18 rounds of family reunions from 1985 to 2010, but many Koreans died without meeting their relatives.