China calls for Korean Peninsula peace

BEIJING - China on Monday called for joint efforts to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula after the  Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) announced a change in the timing of its upcoming satellite launch.

"We have noted the latest news released by the DPRK side," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei when questioned on the matter at a daily news briefing.

"The Chinese side holds a consistent stance on the issue," Hong said, adding, "We hope all sides concerned will make joint efforts to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as in the region."

The DPRK said earlier on Monday that the period in which it is planning to launch a  scientific satellite has been extended to December 29, one week behind the original December 10-22 window.

The official KCNA news agency quoted an unnamed spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology as attributing delay to a "technical deficiency" in the rocket's engine.