Korean Peninsula draws new focus

Beijing urges calm as US sends carrier group to troubled region

China called for restraint on the Korean Peninsula on Monday after the United States said it had sent a carrier group in a show of force against Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program.

"China has been paying close attention to the development of the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Under the current circumstances, we think all parties should show restraint and not take action that may intensify regional tensions," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday.