UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- China strongly urges both sides of the Korean Peninsula to keep calm and restraint, solve issues through peaceful dialogue and engagement, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Wang Min said here Monday.

Wang made the remarks to reporters at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He said China has taken note of the latest developments of the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Maintaining peace and stability on the Peninsula is in the interest of both the South and the North of the Peninsula, as well as other relevant parties, he said.

"We strongly appeal relevant parties to exercise maximum restraint, act in a responsible manner and avoid increase of tensions," Wang told reporters.

The Security Council met for an emergency meeting on Sunday that lasted about eight and a half hours, but failed to reach consensus.

Wang said China on Sunday supported Russia's proposal to call for an urgent meeting the Security Council on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

"Members of the Council, including China, the United States and Russia have made efforts to the extent possible to avoid armed conflict on the Peninsula. The meeting was positive and of great importance," he said.