China urges calm over missile tests
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-07-05 19:12
China on Wednesday expressed serious concern and called for calm from all
sides after North Korea test-fired a barrage of missiles.
"We are seriously concerned about the events that have occured," Foreign
Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in a statement posted on the ministry Web
site (www.fmprc.gov.cn)
"We hope that all sides will maintain calm and restraint, and do things
conducive to the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia
and do not take any further steps that will add to tensions and further
complicate the situation."
North Korea launched at least six missiles on Wednesday, including a
long-range Taepodong-2, a move US President George W. Bush said defied the
international community.
China had urged a peaceful solution and restraint from all sides in the run
up to the launch.
Beijing has been eager to revive six-party talks aimed at dismantling North
Korea's nuclear programmes, and was sending Vice Premier Hui Liangyu to North
Korea on Monday to mark the 45th anniversary of a Sino-North Korean friendship
treaty.
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