BEIJING - China has always played a role in promoting a solution to the Korean nuclear issue, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry in response to US demands for China to play a bigger role.

"China is a responsible country and has always played a part in solving nuclear deadlock, persuading all parties involved through all channels, and maintaining close communication with them," said ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. Hua's statement followed remarks by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who appealed to China to do more to solve the nuclear deadlock during his visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK).

She told a regular press briefing that the denuclearization of the Peninsula should be discussed within the six-party talks framework, and the just and reasonable concerns of all parties, including the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), should be addressed in a balanced way.

It is in all parties' interests and is their common responsibility to maintain the stability of the peninsula, the spokeswoman said.

The six-party talks also involve Russia, the ROK and Japan and have aimed for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The talks have been halted since late 2008.

All parties involved should shoulder their own responsibilities, make constructive efforts to ease the Korean Peninsula situation, and create favorable conditions for the resumption of six-party talks, she said.

Kerry arrived in Beijing from Seoul earlier on Friday morning, starting his two-day visit to China. This is his second visit to China and his fifth to Asia since he took office in February last year.