China on Tuesday, April 1 called for calm and restraint to safeguard the process of the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, saying it accords with the common interests of the countries in the region and the international community.

    "We have noticed the presidential statement of the UN Security Council over the DPRK's launching activity and the statement of the DPRK Foreign Ministry," said Jiang Yu, spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

    The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a presidential statement saying the launching activity of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was "in contravention of Security Council resolution 1718" and urging the early resumption of the six-party talks.

    The DPRK Foreign Ministry refuted the presidential statement Tuesday morning, saying it's an "unjust action" of the UN Security Council which infringed upon the sovereignty of the DPRK and seriously hurt the dignity of the Korean people.

    The DPRK Foreign Ministry also said in a statement that it would not participate in the six-party talks any longer and would bolster its deterrent for self-defence.

    "We hope that relevant parties would view the overall situation and long-term development, keep calm and show restraint," Jiang said, adding it accords with the common interests of the countries in the region and the international community.

    "China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors. We will continue the friendly and cooperative relationship with the DPRK," Jiang said.