BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- China called on all relevant parties Tuesday to exercise restraint on the Korean nuclear issue and not to take actions that could lead to escalation of the situation.

    In response to a journalist's question on the report that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) planned to launch an inter-continental missile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said that China "has been steadfastly working for the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, opposing nuclear proliferation and maintaining peace and stability in northeast Asia."

    "Our stance is clear and consistent," he said at a press conference Tuesday.

    Qin said after the DPRK conducted a nuclear test on May 25, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement at a regular news briefing May 26.

    "Under the current situation, we hope all parties concerned do more things conducive to the maintenance of peace and stability in Northeast Asia," he said, adding that China "has kept close communications and contacts with all parties."

    Qin said as China and the DPRK are close neighbors, "it is natural that we show special concern to the situation on the Korean Peninsula," Qin said.

    He pointed out that the development of China-DPRK relations, "as we have with other countries, is based on the basis of the Five-Principles of Peaceful Co-existence."

    In the 1950s, leaders of China and India jointly initiated the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, which have since been recognized as norms governing international relations. The five principles are mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

    "China hopes to see a stable and harmonious neighborhood featuring common development, and it hopes to see the realization of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsular and Northeast Asia," said Qin.

    Such a situation "is not only in the interests of China, but also that of all relevant parties, including the DPRK," he said.

    The government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) announced on May 26 that it will participate in the U.S.-led nonproliferation campaign, also called the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI),so as to counter serious threats posed by the spread of weapons of mass destruction and missiles.

    The PSI, launched in June 2003, is aimed at stopping the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction. The ROK became its 95th member after the DPRK said it successfully tested its second nuclear explosive device on May 25.

    The DPRK announced on May 27 that it will no longer stand by the ceasefire agreement ending the 1950-53 Korean War, in response to ROK's participation to the PSI.

    In response to a reporter's question on China's stance on the PSI, Qin said China approves the anti-proliferation intent of the initiative and understands the its member countries' concerns over proliferation, but remains concerned over its risk of taking actions departing from international law.

    "The Chinese government resolutely opposes the proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction and appeals to enhance relevant international cooperation, so as to address the issue through political and diplomatic means," said he.