China has called for calm ahead of a possible rocket launch by nuclear-armed North Korea next month.
The announcement by the Foreign Ministry came after Japan ordered the deployment of a missile-defense system that officials say is capable of shooting down a North Korean rocket.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said all parties should "exercise restraint" and refrain from actions that would further "complicate the issue."
North Korea's communist-led regime has announced plans to launch a rocket in mid-April to put a satellite into orbit.
The United States and its regional allies South Korea and Japan have warned such a launch could serve as a pretext for a long-range missile test.
Such tests by North Korea have been banned by the United Nations Security Council.
The announcement by the Foreign Ministry came after Japan ordered the deployment of a missile-defense system that officials say is capable of shooting down a North Korean rocket.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said all parties should "exercise restraint" and refrain from actions that would further "complicate the issue."
North Korea's communist-led regime has announced plans to launch a rocket in mid-April to put a satellite into orbit.
The United States and its regional allies South Korea and Japan have warned such a launch could serve as a pretext for a long-range missile test.
Such tests by North Korea have been banned by the United Nations Security Council.
