China rejects North Korea sanctions

BEIJING – China rebuffed calls yesterday to impose sanctions on North Korea for test-firing missiles, but insisted it was doing its best to solve the crisis with its top nuclear envoy to travel next week to Pyongyang.

China reiterated its deep concern over North Korea’s launch on Wednesday of seven missiles, including a new long-range Taepodong-2, but maintained diplomacy, and not sanctions or threats, was the best way to resolve the issue. “Practice tells us dialogue and consultation are effective ways to solve problems,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said when asked whether China would support the UN Security Council imposing sanctions against North Korea.”We think the Security Council should make a necessary response but the response should be helpful to maintain peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and should help diplomatic efforts.”Jiang insisted China was doing its best to ease tensions over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programme, following heavy pressure from the United States that Beijing do more to influence its long-time ally and neighbour.”China is making unremitting efforts to resolve this issue through peaceful dialogue,” Jiang said, adding the stalled six-nation talks aimed at curtailing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions remained the most effective diplomatic vehicle.”The six-party talks have got the recognition of the international community as a peaceful way to resolve the issue through dialogue.- Nampa-AFP”Practice tells us dialogue and consultation are effective ways to solve problems,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said when asked whether China would support the UN Security Council imposing sanctions against North Korea.”We think the Security Council should make a necessary response but the response should be helpful to maintain peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and should help diplomatic efforts.”Jiang insisted China was doing its best to ease tensions over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programme, following heavy pressure from the United States that Beijing do more to influence its long-time ally and neighbour.”China is making unremitting efforts to resolve this issue through peaceful dialogue,” Jiang said, adding the stalled six-nation talks aimed at curtailing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions remained the most effective diplomatic vehicle.”The six-party talks have got the recognition of the international community as a peaceful way to resolve the issue through dialogue.- Nampa-AFP