BEIJING - China welcomed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) efforts to improve their relationship through family reunions starting on Tuesday.

The family reunions will run through to Oct 26, with 389 elderly South Koreans heading to Mount Kumgang resort in the DPRK on Tuesday to meet DPRK relatives who they have been separated with since the 1950-53 Korean War.

"China is delighted to see the family reunions," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular news briefing.

As a friendly neighbor, China hopes the two countries strengthen dialogue and contact, improve reconciliation and cooperation and contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, Hua said.