BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes the positive news on direct dialogue released by the United States and the DPRK, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

It is reported that U.S. President Donald Trump has agreed to meet Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), by May at Kim's invitation.

Spokesperson Geng Shuang said it is a step in the right direction for the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, and China fully commends and supports the efforts made by the parties concerned to solve the issue through dialogue and consultation.

To return the peninsula to peace and stability and the nuclear issue to the track of dialogue, these initial steps must be followed up with corresponding and concerted efforts by the parties, Geng said.

He repeated the call by Foreign Minister Wang Yi that peace must be earned and opportunities must be seized.

"We hope that all parties will demonstrate political courage and make a political decision to expeditiously carry out all necessary and useful engagements, both bilateral and multilateral, and to do their best to restart dialogue and negotiation for the peaceful settlement of the peninsula nuclear issue," Geng said.

"China will continue to make unremitting efforts toward this outcome," the spokesperson said.