BEIJING - China welcomes and encourages contact and dialogue in any form between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying here on Wednesday.

Hua made the remarks at a routine press briefing while responding to a question regarding recent direct dialogue between the two countries.

"We encourage the DPRK and the United States to carry out engagement and dialogue," Hua said, adding China hopes this can help enhance the understanding and trust between the DPRK and the United States, and help return the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue to a diplomatic track for resolution.

China, as always, is committed to peacefully settling the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue through diplomatic efforts, said the spokesperson.