Beijing: Rising tension on the Korean Peninsula may lead to conflict and must be de-escalated, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has said after the close of China's annual parliament.

The annual press conference, in which selected Chinese and foreign media ask a number of pre-vetted questions, marks the closure of China's annual parliament session.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the press conference marking the close of the Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress in Beijing. Credit:Sanghee Liu

Mr Li said the situation in North Asia had become "quite tense - tension may lead to conflict which will only bring harm to all the parties involved".

He called for the parties to work together to defuse the situation and get back on the track of dialogue.