China hopes for early DPRK-U.S. talks: spokesman

China hopes that talks between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States would be held "as early as possible" and that the good momentum on the Korean Peninsula would be maintained.[Special coverage]

Zhang Yesui, spokesman for the first session of the 13th National People's Congress, made the remarks at a press conference Sunday in Beijing.

He said the situation on the Korean Peninsula is easing as the DPRK and the Republic of Korea (ROK) had been engaged in dialogue and cooperation before and during the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.

"China welcomes the positive changes and hopes all parties could seize the opportunity to maintain the good momentum," he said.

Calling the DPRK and the United States the principal parties of the Korean Peninsula issue, Zhang said China expects the DPRK-ROK ties to roll on while the DPRK-U.S. ties will begin to roll as soon as possible.

He said China noticed some positive remarks made by both the DPRK and the United States recently.

China will keep close communications with all concerned parties to push for peace and talks, in order to facilitate the settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue through political and diplomatic means, Zhang said.