China on Thursday renewed its call for calm and restraint surrounding the planned satellite launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"China's position on the issue remain unchanged," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin.

"We urge parties concerned to take a broad and long-term perspective, remain calm and exercise restraint, in an effort to jointly safeguard the peace and stability of the region," he told a regular press briefing.

Liu's remarks came in response to a question on whether China would send a delegation to Pyongyang to watch its satellite launch.

The spokesman said he had not heard that Chinese experts were heading to Pyongyang to watch the DPRK satellite launch.

China has been in close contact with relevant parties, however, and is coordinating with them on this issue, Liu added.

The DPRK announced last month its decision to launch the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite, an earth observation satellite, between April 12 and 16 to mark the 100th birthday of late DPRK founder Kim Il Sung.

A DPRK official said on Wednesday the country has finalized everything for the satellite launch.

Paek Chunghou, general director of the facility, said at a briefing that workers had put the satellite on the rocket and fuel was being injected into the rocket. Enditem

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