China has maintained communication with all parties on the situation on the Korean Peninsula since the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched a satellite on December 12, 2012, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Wednesday.

Spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to a question on whether China will send a special envoy to dissuade the DPRK from carrying out nuclear tests.

Hong also said China has taken note of the report on the Republic of Korea's successful launch of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1, also known as Naro, the country's first carrier rocket.

He added that China pays great attention to developments in the situation on the Korean Peninsula, which remains complicated.

China hopes all relevant parties will remain calm and exercise restraint. The country opposes any moves that may escalate tensions and are not conducive to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and it calls on all parties to work together to safeguard the peace and stability of the peninsula, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2013)