BEIJING - China supports the further improvement of bilateral relations between the Democratic People's the Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK), Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said Friday.

Hong made the remarks at a news briefing when asked about the reopening of a military hotline between the DPRK and the ROK.

According to the ROK's Unification Ministry, the DPRK and the ROK restored a military hotline along the west coast on Friday to help reopen a shuttered joint industrial park.

Hong said the improvement of relations between the DPRK and the ROK and the achievement of reconciliation and cooperation serves the common interests of both sides.

"China supports the two sides in continuously improving their relationship and making positive efforts to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the region," Hong said.