China urges dialogue after North Korean satellite launch

Beijing, April 17 (IANS) China has called for more dialogue and consultations after the UN Security Council (UNSC) Monday strongly condemned North Korea over its failed satellite launch, Xinhua reported.

"It has been proven that dialogue and consultation are the only right way to solve problems," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin while highlighting the importance of the talks held between North Korea and the US in February.

On Feb 29, North Korea had announced to suspend nuclear tests, long-range missile launches and uranium enrichment activities after it held talks with US officials in China from Feb 23 to 24.

The Chinese spokesperson's latest remark came after the 15-nation UN body issued a presidential statement stating that the North Korea's April 13 launch raised "grave security concerns" and demanded Pyongyang to fully comply with relevant Security Council resolutions.

China believes that Security Council should make more efforts to promote dialogue and maintain peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, the spokesperson said.

The Chinese government believes it is in the common interest of all relevant parties to resume the six-party talks and continue making efforts to denuclearise the peninsula, Liu said.

"China is willing to keep in close touch with all parties concerned to push the six-party talks forward and make unswerving efforts to realise long-lasting peace on the peninsula," he added.