China voices concern over regular military exercise by Korea, US, Japan

China voiced concern on Thursday over a recent decision by South Korea, the U.S. and Japan to hold a regular joint exercise against North Korea's missile threat, saying that it would not help improve the current situation on the Korean Peninsula.

"Any action either to strengthen or expand military (measures) given the current situation on the Korean Peninsula would worsen confrontation. It would not be helpful in resolving problems and maintaining peace and stability in the region," Wu Chian, a spokesman of China's defense ministry, said during a press briefing.

The spokesman said that relevant countries "should do many things" that will help maintain peace and stability on the peninsula.

He made the remarks when asked for any comment on the decision announced by Seoul, Washington and Japan last week to regularize a missile detection drill against the threat from the North. It was first conducted in June in waters near Hawaii to counter a possible ballistic missile threat from North Korea. (Yonhap)