China said on Wednesday it expects and supports contacts and dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to improve bilateral relations and solve related issues.

"China has always maintained that the southern and northern parts of the Korean Peninsula should solve their problems through dialogue and consultation, to gradually improve relations and realize reconciliation and cooperation," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a press briefing.

His comments came in response to a question regarding a planned visit to the DPRK by the ROK's governing party leader.

The ROK's Grand National Party chairman Hong Joon-pyo said Tuesday he will travel to the DPRK Friday to visit an industrial complex jointly managed by the two sides in an attempt to reduce tension on the divided peninsula.

"We believe dialogue and negotiation are the only effective ways to address issues of the Korean Peninsula and realize long-term stability," said the spokesman.

He said the Korean Peninsula situation has recently shown signs of improvement.

"We welcome parties involved to engage in dialogue and enhance coordination on restarting the six-party talks," Hong said. He urged related parties to seize opportunity, persist in dialogue and make joint efforts to create favorable conditions for resuming the six-party talks at an early date.

DPRK Vice Foreign Minister Pak Kil Yon on Tuesday vowed to continue cooperation with all the parties concerned for "unconditional resumption of the six-party talks."

The six-party talks involve China, the DPRK, the United States, the ROK, Russia and Japan and began in 2003. Six rounds of talks were held before stalling in December 2008.

The multilateral dialogue seeks a peaceful solution to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.