China, "We need to make joint efforts for peace and stability of the parties"

While North Korea announced that it would completely cut off roads and railroads connecting to the South and permanently cut off and block its borders, China reaffirmed its position that "joint efforts" are needed for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

"China is paying attention to the development and change of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and related trends in relations between North Korea and South Korea," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Maoning said at a regular briefing.

"China believes that the process of protecting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and political resolution of the peninsula issue is in the common interest of each party and the universal expectation of the international community," Mao said. "It is necessary for each party to work together to achieve this."