Chinese FM stresses firm stand on denuclearization on Korean Peninsula

BEIJING-- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanged views Thursday evening with his US counterpart John Kerry on the situation on the Korean Peninsula, underscoring China's firm stand on promoting denuclearization and safeguarding peace and stability on the peninsula.

China is willing to communicate with all parties involved, including the United States, Wang told Kerry in a phone conversation.

Kerry explained US stance on the latest nuclear test launched by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying that the US hoped to maintain communication and coordination with China on the current situation on the peninsula.

During the phone call, the two top diplomats also exchanged views on the Iran nuclear issue and China-US relations.

Earlier on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, will continue to take part in the UN Security Council discussions "in order to promote the denuclearization and non-proliferation of the Korean Peninsula and safeguard the stability in Northeast Asia."

The DPRK announced Wednesday that it had successfully carried out its first hydrogen bomb test.

The test, if confirmed, is the fourth nuclear test conducted by the DPRK. The previous three were carried out in 2006, 2009 and 2013, respectively.

China "firmly opposes" the nuclear test, said a Foreign Ministry statement issued Wednesday, urging the DPRK "to honor its commitment to denuclearization and to cease any action that may deteriorate the situation."