China welcomes Switzerland to mediate in Korean Peninsula nuclear crisis

China said on Tuesday it welcomes Switzerland to play a mediator role in resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang speaks at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, September 5, 2017. [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn]

Swiss President Doris Leuthard said on Monday that the neutral country is prepared to act as mediator to help resolve the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, including by hosting ministerial talks.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a daily press briefing that China has noticed the statement made by Switzerland.

"China welcomes and encourages all ideas and suggestions that are conducive to easing tensions and confrontation, boosting mutual trust, restarting dialogue at an early date and resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue," said Geng.

"We also welcome countries to play a constructive role in resolving the issue," he said.

Geng said the mainstream opinion of the international community is for the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue to be resolved via dialogue and negotiation in a peaceful way.

"We hope relevant parties can heed the rational voices of the international community and keep calm, rather than be provocative and fan the flames," he said.

"Military actions are not an effective choice and sanctions are not the fundamental way out for the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue," Geng added.

The DPRK launched its sixth and largest nuclear test on Sunday in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, which has been widely condemned by the international community.