China believes that adherence to negotiation, dialogue and the six-party talks are the best way to realize the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said in Beijing Tuesday.

China is willing to keep maintaining communication and coordination with the involved parties, Qin told a regular press briefing.

Asked about inspecting a Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) ship suspected of carrying goods banned by a relevant UN resolution, Qin said the inspection should be carried out strictly according to relevant UN resolutions and international and domestic laws.

Qin said: "We are aware only of the reports about this but do not have information at hand about the ship or its destination.

"In the current situation, China calls on the involved parties to avoid actions that may further intensify the tension," he said.

The UN Security Council on June 12 unanimously approved Resolution 1874, which allowed wider sanctions against the DPRK over its May 25 nuclear test.

The resolution demanded that the DPRK "not conduct any further nuclear test or any launch using ballistic missile technology" and urged the country to come back to the six-party talks without preconditions.

It also banned all weapons exports from the DPRK and most arms imports into the country. It authorized UN member states to inspect the DPRK's sea, air and land cargo and required them to seize and destroy any goods transported in violation of the sanctions.

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2009)