A spokesperson for Chinese Foreign Ministry Hong Lei said Sunday that Beijing wants North Korea to ensure the safety of its diplomats and other citizens.

A South Korean soldier patrols as vehicles returning from North Korea's inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex back to South Korea arrive at a checkpoint on the Grand Unification Bridge, which leads to the demilitarized zone separating North Korea from South Korea, in Paju, north of Seoul April 6, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

This request was issued after North Korea warned diplomatic missions to consider evacuation from North Korea as Pyongyang could not ensure security if any armed conflict occurred. At the moment, the Chinese Embassy in North Korea is still operating. Previously, Foreign Minister Wang Yi has expressed his concerns about escalating tensions and said Beijing protests all actions and words that feed conflict on both sides.