China has called for emergency six-party talks over the tension between North and South Korea, following an artillery clash last week and military exercises involving the United States.
The Chinese government says the six countries that have been involved in talks over North Korean nuclear disarmament should meet urgently.
The two Koreas, the United States, Russia Japan and China are involved in the talks.
North Korea launched a barrage of shells and rockets at a South Korean island on Tuesday, killing two marines and two civilians and setting homes ablaze.
The attack led to the United States and South Korea mounting a major show of naval strength in joint military exercises aimed at deterring Pyongyang.
