The Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang has denied some South Korean media reports that North Korea recently arrested about 100 Chinese citizens living in the reclusive state on alleged suspicions of espionage.
  

A spokesman at the embassy in North Korea said in a statement dated on Wednesday that such media reports are "false" and there were no "so-called spies" among thousands of Chinese people living in North Korea.
  

It is rare for the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang to publicly deny media reports.
  

The embassy called Chinese people living in North Korea "an important force in developing China-North Korea relations, and they will continue to play an active role" in promoting ties between the allies. (Yonhap)