China calls on the U.S. to stop unilaterally strengthening confrontation, shoulder its responsibility with actions, and respond to the legitimate and reasonable concerns of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to create conditions for the resumption of meaningful dialogue, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Zhang Jun said on Friday. 

China remains committed to maintaining peace and stability and achieving denuclearization on the peninsula and resolving issues through dialogue and consultation, Zhang said at the UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation of the Korean Peninsula.

The DPRK fired three short-range ballistic missiles eastward after it slammed the U.S. and South Korea's decision to extend the ongoing Vigilant Storm joint air drills, Yonhap reported Thursday. 

Noting that the U.S. and relevant country, after a five-year hiatus, relaunched their large-scale air drills with hundreds of warplanes involved, Zhang said the recent DPRK launches do not happen in isolation, and are directly linked to the words and deeds of relevant parties. 

Under the current circumstances, the Security Council should, in particular, strive to mitigate confrontation, ease tensions and promote the political settlement, the ambassador said. 

"The relevant discussion in the Council should help maintain stability, prevent chaos on the peninsula, contribute to the resumption of dialogue and negotiation, and resolve the humanitarian and livelihood difficulties faced by the DPRK rather than creating obstacles for it," he added.

(Cover: A file photo of China's Permanent Representative to the UN Zhang Jun. /CFP)