BEIJING - China expects the Republic of Korea (ROK) to guarantee the safety of all civilian airplanes flying over the country's airspace, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said at a news briefing here on Tuesday.

Related readings: China asks ROK to ensure air safety

Spokesman Hong Lei made the comment in response to a question regarding an incident last Friday in which two ROK marines fired their rifles at a civilian jetliner after mistaking it for a military aircraft belonging to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The Asiana Airlines jetliner, which was carrying 119 passengers from the Chinese city of Chengdu, was undamaged and no one was hurt, as the plane was not within range of the weapons.

Hong said China has expressed its concern to the ROK through diplomatic channels.

"We hope the ROK will take effective measures to prevent the recurrence of these kinds of incidents and ensure the safety of all civilian planes that fly over the country," he said.