BEIJING -- China on Friday stressed dialogue to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue after the UN Security Council strongly condemned the most recent ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

In a Thursday press statement, the 15-nation council demanded the DPRK immediately cease further actions that violate relevant Security Council resolutions banning the DPRK from missile launches and nuclear tests.

China remains committed to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, maintaining peace and stability there and resolving problems through dialogue and negotiation, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a regular news briefing.

"China has always emphasized that the UN Security Council resolutions on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue should be implemented in a comprehensive and balanced manner, which requires that all related parties should strive for peaceful solution to the Korean Peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation," Lu said.

The Security Council press statement expressed opposition to the missile launch and reiterated its stance on resolving problems through dialogue, Lu said.

He called on all sides to refrain from actions that escalate regional tensions.