Hong confirmed that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his party stopped in Beijing en route to Pyongyang.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Carter and his party, Hong said, Both sides exchanged views on the issues of mutual concern including the situation of the Korean Peninsula.

China appreciates dialogues initiated by the parties involved, including the United States and the DPRK, Hong said, expressing the hope that these initiatives will eventually result in the resumption of the six-party talks.

It conforms with the common interests in this region to defend peace and stability in the peninsula, promote denuclearization and realize the normalization of relations of the countries concerned, Hong noted.

We consider that all parties concerned should settle disputes in a peaceful way through dialogue and negotiations under the present situation and this is the only effective way to handle the issue of the peninsula, Hong said.

"Concerned parties should use their flexibility, actively interact with each other and resume dialogues and consultations at an early date," Hong said, urging concerned parties to make joint efforts to send the situation on the peninsula "in a good direction".

China will continue to work with concerned parties and play a constructive role in helping restore peace and stability on the peninsula, Hong said.