China calls for 'cherishing the hard won detente' on Korean Peninsula

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China called on the DPRK and the US to create good conditions for the meeting between their leaders and make active efforts to achieve denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The detente on the Korean Peninsula should be cherished by all relevant parties, said Lu Kang, the spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wednesday and he called on those involved to maintain composure and show goodwill.

Lu said the situation on the Korean Peninsula is moving toward dialogue and amelioration, and the hard-won situation accords with the common interests of all parties, as well as the expectations of the international community.

Lu Kang, the spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaks at a routine press conference, May 16, 2018. /Photo from fmprc.gov.cn

"In order to continue and consolidate the easing momentum on the peninsula, relevant parties should maintain composure, show goodwill and avoid actions that would provoke each other," Lu said. "To jointly create favorable conditions and an atmosphere for solving the problem through dialogue and consultation."

China also hopes the DPRK and the ROK will follow the spirit of the Panmunjom Declaration, understand and respect each other's reasonable concerns to build trust and improve ties, Lu said.

The remarks came after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) suspended planned high-level talks with the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday, denounced the joint ROK-US military exercises, and threatened to scrap the forthcoming summit between its leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump if Washington unilaterally demands the DPRK give up its nuclear program.