China calls for calm to resolve tensions

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman denied a media report saying North Korea has informed Beijing about plans to conduct more nuclear tests. Spokesman Hong Lei said he did not know where the report originated, China Daily said. North Korea conducted a nuclear test on Feb. 12, its third since 2006, which was widely condemned by the international community including China. Hong said the situation on the Korea Peninsula remains "sensitive and complicated," and China wants all concerned parties to exercise calm. China has been calling for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks aimed at denuclearization of North Korea in return for massive aid to the isolated Communist country. The participants in the talks include the two Koreas, China, Japan, the United States and Russia and Japan. The talks, however, have remained suspended since 2009 after North Korea walked out.