China on Tuesday welcomed reunions of Korean family members separated for more than six decades by the Korean War, hoping that both Seoul and Pyongyang could continue their efforts for reconciliation.

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the comments as hundreds of South Korean family members crossed the heavily fortified border into North Korea for an emotional meeting with their relatives in the North. The last reunions were held in February 2012.

Hua said China "welcomed efforts made by North Korea and South Korea for the improvement of their bilateral relationship."

"As a close and friendly neighbor of the two sides, we hope that North Korea and South Korea can continue to enhance dialogue and contacts, promote reconciliation and cooperation and make a positive contribution to peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula," Hua said.

Following the Korean Peninsula's division in 1945 and the 1950-53 Korean War, millions of Korean families remain separated.

No exchanges through mail, telephone or e-mail between ordinary citizens from South Korea and North Korea are available; the two Koreas are still technically at war as the Korean War was ended with a ceasefire.

The reunions are highly emotional because the separated family members are mostly in their 70s or older, and they are eager to see their loved ones again before they die. (Yonhap)