China called on all parties to exercise restraint following the latest moves by the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in retaliation for Pyongyang's nuclear test.
"Peace and stability in East Asia serve the fundamental interests of all parties. China hopes all sides show restraint and act prudently to avoid any escalation of tension," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said at a regular news briefing.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has triggered widespread concern by announcing a successful test of its first H-bomb, which was described as "a self-defensive step" by its top leader Kim Jong Un.
In retaliation, the ROK military resumed propaganda broadcasts against the DPRK and the United States flew a B-52 bomber over the ROK on Sunday to underscore its alliance with the ROK and isolate the DPRK.
China has always opposed DPRK nuclear tests, Hong reiterated.
"China is willing to work with all parties to maintain communication to get the DPRK nuclear issue back to the negotiation table to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula," Hong said.
The six-party talks were launched in 2003 to dismantle the DPRK nuclear program but stalled in December 2008. The DPRK quit the talks in April 2009.
The six-party talks involve the DPRK, the ROK, the U.S., China, Japan and Russia.
