China opposed any military action to deal with the Korean Peninsula situation, following the recent nuclear test by North Korea, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao said at a regular press conference yesterday.

 

According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test on Monday.

 

"North Korea should refrain from any action that may aggravate the Korean Peninsula situation," Liu said, urging North Korea to return to six-party talks.

 

"We believe that the denuclearization and the maintaining of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula best serves the interests of all parties," the spokesman said.

 

Liu said China is consulting with other parties and hope the consultation will be conducive to furthering the diplomatic efforts.

 

The members of the United Nations Security Council have been discussing a draft resolution circulated by the United States, which tends to take punitive sanctions against North Korea.

 

"Any action, any decision, any resolution, must be conducive to resolving the issue peacefully," Liu said.

 

While urging all parties to keep coolheaded, Liu called for the early resumption of the six-party talks.

 

The six-party talks on Korean nuclear issue remained stalled since the last round of meeting was held in Beijing last November.

 

The last round of talks, involving China, South and North Korea, the US, Russia and Japan, ended up with a Chairman's Statement, in which the parties concerned agreed to resume the talks as soon as possible.

 

Following North Korea's nuclear test on Monday, China has been engaged in a string of diplomatic activities.

 

President Hu Jintao late on Monday held phone talks with US President George W. Bush, exchanging views on the nuclear test.

 

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing exchanged views via phone with his counterparts from the US, European Union, Britain and Canada.

 

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan headed to the US on Wednesday as a special envoy of President Hu.

 

"Tang will discuss the Korean Peninsula situation with senior US officials," spokesman said.

 

Tang will also pay a working visit to Russia.

 

Liu also announced that South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun will arrive in Beijing on Friday.

 

During Roh's one-day working visit, President Hu, top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao will hold talks or meet with him respectively, Liu said.

 

"They will mainly discuss bilateral relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula," Liu said.

 

Liu said he hoped the visit would strengthen bilateral friendly cooperation and the all-round cooperative partnership between the two countries.

 

This is Roh's second visit to China since he took office in 2003. Roh paid a state visit to China for the first time in July, 2003.

 

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's possible visit to Beijing is also under arrangement, the spokesman said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2006)