China on Thursday called for resumed operations at the Kaesong industrial complex, a joint industrial estate between Pyongyang and Seoul just north of their border, as well as proper disposition of the diplomatic issues that saw its suspension.

China hopes the Kaesong issue can be properly handled through dialogue and consultation, for it is an important collaborative project between the South and the North of the Korean Peninsula, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing.

The joint industrial zone was suspended in April when the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) banned around 54,000 of its workers from reporting to work amid escalating tension on the Korean Peninsula. The Republic of Korea (ROK) also withdrew its personnel in response.

Hua's remarks came after the DPRK and the ROK reportedly held talks recently on resuming operation of the Kaesong industrial zone but failed to reach any agreement.

Hua said stakeholders should work together with patience and wisdom in order to maintain peace and stability on the Peninsula.

"As a close neighbor of the Peninsula, China always supports the North and the South to improve relations and enhance mutual trust via dialogue and consultation," said the spokeswoman.

(Xinhua News Agency July 11, 2013)