Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi says China will not take sides regarding North Korea’s artillery attack on South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island.

Yang said Thursday at a forum in Beijing that China decides its position based on the merits of each case and does not seek to protect any side.

He suggested that concerned nations do nothing to deteriorate the situation.

Yang added that nations concerned must remain calm and restrained and also make efforts to put the situation back on track to dialogue and negotiations.