ANKARA

China on Tuesday said Beijing is not the “main party” in the Korean Peninsula conflict and that the key to easing tension “lies in the hands of the US.”

In a news conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Beijing has always been committed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and promoting the political settlement of the issue.

"China is not the main party in the conflict, and the key to solving the issue lies in the hands of the US," Beijing-based daily Global Times quoted Mao as saying.

Mao’s remarks came after a US nuclear-powered vessel arrived at a naval base in Busan, South Korea, on Tuesday.

The US nuclear-powered vessel arrived just hours after North Korea notified Japan of its plan to launch its military satellite into space during a nine-day window beginning Wednesday.

"China calls on relevant parties to face up to the crux of the issue, stop confrontation and pressure, take concrete actions to promote the political settlement of the issue and safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula," she said.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid