China supports talks between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Japan in a bid to improve relations, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Wednesday.

At the ministry's daily press briefing, Hong said he has noticed reports that the DPRK and Japan plan to hold talks on bilateral ties in December in Beijing.

The Chinese side has always supported the DPRK and Japan resolving relevant issues through dialogue and consultation, Hong told reporters.

The DPRK-Japan talks are scheduled for Dec. 5-6. and they come after a rare meeting between the two in Ulan Bator, the Mongolian capital, earlier this month, the DPRK news agency KCNA reported Tuesday.