China has expressed its concern over the tensions surrounding the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) reported plan to test fire a long-range missile, urging relevant parties to do more to benefit regional peace and stability.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said China has taken note of the positions held by all parties and is very concerned about the current situation.

"We hope the relevant parties act in a way conducive to peace and stability in the region," Jiang said yesterday in a regular press briefing.

"Maintaining peace and stability in Northeast Asia remains the consistent position of the Chinese Government and we are willing to continue to make constructive efforts in this regard," she added.

Jiang reiterated China's insistence on a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and solving the nuclear issue through peaceful dialogue, saying the nation stands ready to work with relevant parties in the international community to press ahead with the process of the Six-Party Talks.

Jiang's comments came as Pyongyang was reported as being prepared to launch a Taepodong-2 missile, believed to have a range of up to 6,700 kilometres, far enough to hit Alaska and possibly Hawaii in the United States.

It is reported that Pyongyang wanted to engage in direct talks with Washington on its concern over the missile issue but the United States rejected the request, saying threats were not the way to seek dialogue.

According to reports, if launched, it would be Pyongyang's first launch of a medium- or long-range missile since 1998, when it fired the Taepodong-1 missile, part of which flew over Japan and into the Pacific.

Source: China Daily