Chinese president calls for calm to avoid escalating tension on Korean Peninsula

On Monday, Chinese President Hu Jintao had called for calm and rational response from all sides to prevent the deterioration of the fragile security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

In a telephone conversation with his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama, Mr. President Hu said China is greatly concerned about the current tension on Korea peninsula, and deeply regrets the loss of lives and properties in the exchange of artillery fire between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea late last month.

The fragile security situation on the Korean Peninsula, if not properly handled, could lead to further escalation of tension, or even run out of control, which is not in the common interests of all parties concerned, said Hu.