BEIJING: China on Tuesday called for all parties on the Korean peninsula to avoid a "further escalation" after North Korea blew up sections of roads connecting it to the South and Seoul conducted a "counter-fire" operation in response.
"Tensions on the peninsula do not serve the common interests of all parties, and the priority is to avoid further escalation of conflicts," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular briefing.
Pyongyang's military last week vowed to permanently seal its southern border after spending months laying mines and building anti-tank barriers in the wake of leader Kim Jong Un declaring the South his country's "principal enemy".
The North also accused Seoul of using drones to drop anti-regime propaganda leaflets on its capital Pyongyang, with Kim convening a security meeting to direct a plan of "immediate military action" in response, state media reported Tuesday.
Asked about the tensions, Beijing -- North Korea's most important ally and economic benefactor -- said it was "paying attention to the development of the peninsula's situation".
"China's position on maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula and promoting a political solution to the peninsula issue remains unchanged," Mao said.
"We also hope that all parties will make joint efforts toward this goal," she added.