Article Posted on : - Apr 08, 2012

A file photo.

BEIJING (PTI): China has said it is worried and concerned over the latest development on the Korean Peninsula, where its close ally North Korea has decided to launch a satellite disregarding strong objections from the US, Japan and South Korea.

China is concerned and worried about the latest development on the Korean Peninsula, the country's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in Chinese city Ningbo, where he held a trilateral meeting with Foreign Ministers of Japan and South Korea on Saturday.

Yang expressed concern during his meeting with his counterparts from the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan, a press release from China's Foreign Ministry said.

Yang met with ROK Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan and Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba respectively and exchanged views with them on the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, it said.

South Korea and Japan have expressed serious reservations over North Korea's decision to send a satellite using a powerful rocket.

Japan has assembled interceptor missiles to shoot the rocket, if it goes though its airspace.

United States, South Korea and Japan are persuading China to prevail on its close ally, North Korea to stop its planned launch.

US has already stopped its plans to send food aid to North Korea.

It is in the common interest of all sides to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and realise long-term peace and stability in northeast Asia, Yang said.

China hoped all parties involved would keep calm and exert restraint in light of the overall situation and long-term benefits, continue dialogue, and properly resolve relevant issues through peaceful ways, Yang said.

He said China will keep communication and coordination with all sides to promote the six-party talks and the denuclearisation process of the peninsula, and to play a constructive role to the region's peace and stability.

The ministers' talks, scheduled from April 7 to 8, will discuss boosting trilateral cooperation and preparation for the fifth meeting of state leaders of the three countries.