UNITED NATIONS - China on Thursday expressed its hope that all parties concerned of Kosovo issue could work together to maintain stability, and avoid any act triggering escalation of tension.

The remarks came as Yang Tao, counsellor of the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations, told an open Security Council meeting on Kosovo.

"China hopes all parties concerned to make joint efforts to maintain stability (in Kosovo), avoid any act that touches off escalation of tension," Yang said.

"The Kosovo issue touches on the peace, security and stability of the Balkan region and the Europe at large. China respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia," he said.

China believes that to solve this problem needs relevant parties to negotiate "a mutually acceptable solution" within the framework of the relevant UN Security Council resolution, Yang said.

China welcomed the dialogues held between Belgrade and Pristina since March this year.

"We hope that the two sides will continue to keep constructive engagement, to reach consensus on a wide range of issues. China commends the positive role that the EU and the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) have played in stimulating dialogue between the two parties," Yang said.

"Council resolution 1244 remains valid and is still the important legal basis on which solutions can be found to the Kosovo issue," he said.

Resolution 1244 adopted in 1999 authorized an international civil and military presence in Kosovo.

China supports the UNMIK in continuing to work according to the Security Council mandate and playing a bigger role in solving the Kosovo problem.

Yang also pointed out that China is deeply concerned about the illicit trafficking of human organs in Kosovo. Any violation of international law and international humanitarian law is intolerable. China supports the UN to undertake investigations on the issue.