LOC17:13
14:13 GMT
TOKYO, Nov 24 (KUNA) -- China on Wednesday said it was worried about the
situation after the deadly exchange of fire between North Korea and South
Korea, and urged both sides to stay calm while refraining from similar events,
state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
"China pays great attention to the event. We feel grieved and regretful
about the casualties and property losses, and feel worried about its
development," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement
Wednesday night, carried by Xinhua.
On Tuesday, North Korea fired about 170 rounds of artillery, with 80 of
them landing on a South Korean island, killing at least two South Korean
soldiers and two civilians.
Beijing is Pyongyang's closest ally. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan on
Wednesday urged China to use its influence over North Korea to prevent the
nation from taking any more provocative actions. (end)
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KUNA 241713 Nov 10NNNN