BEIJING - China said it will make greater efforts to start Six-Party emergency consultations because tensions on the Korean Peninsula have not eased.

"The Six-Party Talks are a very important way to advance the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula and maintain peace and stability in northeast Asia. We, the concerned parties, should make full use of the talks," Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in an interview in Beijing Friday.

Launched in 2003 and stalled since the end of 2008, the Six-Party Talks involve China, Russia, the United States, Japan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

"While the talks have yet to be resumed, we think it is the proper time for emergency consultations between the heads of the delegations of the six parties," said the foreign minister.

Tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula after the DPRK and the ROK exchanged artillery fire on Nov 23. China proposed emergency consultations among the chief negotiators in December.

Amid the international community's repeated calls for restraint and calm, the United States held separate large-scale naval drills with the ROK and Japan in waters near the peninsula.

"We will continue to make patient efforts to persuade the parties to engage in consultations," Yang said.

He said the tensions on the peninsular will ease "only if all the parties show their sincerity and make joint efforts".

"Stability on the Korean Peninsula is good for all. Chaos there is detrimental for all," he added.

During the interview, the foreign minister reiterated China's policy to be a good neighbor and partner in Asia while continuing to make contributions to the rise of the region.

Yang said China suggests a new security concept that features "mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination" be fostered, adding that countries in the region should step up cooperation in anti-terrorism and non-proliferation work.

"China welcomes other relevant countries playing a constructive role in regional cooperation to help shape an open, inclusive, and win-win cooperative framework in the region," he added.