China urges calm, talks between North and South Korea

China on Wednesday urged North  and South Korea to show "calm and restraint" and engage in talks as quickly as possible to avoid an escalation of tensions after a deadly shelling incident that killed four South Koreans.

The statement from the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei was Beijing's first detailed official response to the  incident on Tuesday when North Korea shelled a South Korean island. Unlike other governments in the region, China did not  single out North Korea for condemnation.

"China takes this incident very seriously, and expresses  pain and regret at the loss of life and property, and we feel  anxious about developments," Hong said in a comment on the ministry's website.

"China strongly urges both North and South Korea exercise  calm and restraint, and as quickly as possible engage in  dialogue and contacts," said Hong.

China "opposes any actions harmful to the peace and stability" of the Korean peninsula, he also said.