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China hopes two

Koreas reach

new peace pact

BEIJING: China said on Tuesday it hoped North and South Korea could reach a new peace agreement, but slapped Pyongyang on the wrist for intruding into the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), saying the truce should be respected.

"We believe that there should be a new peace mechanism to replace the mechanism of armistice," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Chen Jian told a news briefing.

"But before this long-term new peace mechanism is established, we believe that the armistice agreement should remain valid," Chen said.

Tensions mounted in the Korean peninsula last week when Pyongyang announced it would no longer recognise the DMZ and was abandoning obligations to the 43-year-old Korean War armistice accord.

Following the announcement, North Korean soldiers intruded into the DMZ three times, setting off alarm in South Korea.

The U.S.-led United Nations Command described the latest intrusion as a significant violation of the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean war but said there was no cause for alarm.

China said it hoped for peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and indicated that it would not get involved.

"We have noticed the particular developments and hope that peace and stability be maintained in the Korean peninsula," Chen said.

"The issue should be resolved through the consultations held among the directly interested parties," Chen said. South Korean officials have said Seoul approached Beijing to pressure Pyongyang to abide by the armistice.

Chen denied North Korea's recent actions had China's backing. "The Chinese side has never been informed," Chen said when asked if North Korea sought China's support.-Reuter