BEIJING - China on Wednesday responded to US State Secretary Rex Tillerson's statements, by calling on the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to step forward for dialogue and contact.

Tillerson said at a forum in Washington, D.C. Tuesday that the United States was ready to talk with the DPRK without preconditions.

"We have noticed the remarks. It has been a consistent stance of the Chinese government to peacefully resolve the peninsula issue through dialogue and negotiation," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang at a press briefing. "China welcomes all efforts to ease tension and promote dialogue to resolve the problem."

"China has proposed a dual track approach and suspension for suspension initiative to settle the issue," said the spokesman. "We hope the United States and the DPRK will meet each other halfway and take a significant step to engage in dialogue and contact. China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting proper settlement of the peninsula issue in a peaceful way."