China says it is currently investigating North Korea's reported detention of two female American journalists near its northern border with China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said during a briefing on Thursday that the government has confirmed the reporters' dention and is currently carrying out an investigation.

The New York Times identified the American journalists as Laura Ling, a Chinese American, and Euna Lee, a Korean American.

A senior government official in Seoul said that the two reporters were detained Tuesday along the Yalu River while shooting footage of the North. They were detained after they refused to stop filming.