China cherishes its traditional friendship with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and calls for calm and restraint on the Korean Peninsula, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday.

"China and DPRK are friendly neighbors. Chinese people emphasize good faith and value friendship. China cherishes its traditional friendship with the DPRK and will seek the normal development of our relations," Wang made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session.

"The China-DPRK relationship has a strong foundation. It should not and will not be affected by temporary events," he said.

As to when the two countries' leaders will meet, Wang said "it will have to suit the schedules of both sides."

Wang said China has played a constructive role in bringing about a "basically stable" situation on the Korean Peninsula, and that it is in the common interests of all relevant parties to maintain peace and stability and achieve denuclearization.

Wang called for calm and restraint as "at the moment, the situation there has entered another delicate period."

"We call on the relevant countries to exercise calm and restraint and say and do things that will have positive effects, so as to continue to foster the atmosphere and conditions for resuming the six-party talks." Wang said.