China pledges communication on DPRK's satellite launch

BEIJING  - China on Monday pledged to communicate and coordinate with concerned parties about the satellite launch plan of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a press briefing in Beijing, "China will continue to conmmunicate and coordinate with concerned parties (over the issue)."

He pointed out that maintaining peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula serves common interests, as well as being a shared responsibility, of concerned parties.

"China hopes all parties concerned can act in a way that is more conducive to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and can exercise calmness so as to avoid further escalation of the situation," Hong said.

He also reiterated that the DPRK has the right to peaceful use of outer space, but that the right should be exercised within the limitation of UN Security Council resolutions.

The second version of Kwangmyongsong-3 will be launched from the Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province, by the Unha-3 carrier rocket between December 10 and December 22, the DPRK's official KCNA news agency reported.