China hopes the United Nations Security Council's latest move can help
peacefully solve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Foreign Ministry
spokesman Liu Jianchao said yesterday. [Full coverage on N.Korea nuclear crisis]
Russian Ambassador to
the United Nations Vitaly Chirkin (L) and Chinese Ambassador to the U.N.
Wang Guangya shake hands before a Security Council vote at the U.N.
headquarters in New York October 14, 2006.
[Reuters] |
His remarks came shortly after the
Council unanimously adopted a resolution against the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK) over its claimed nuclear test last Monday.
China maintains the Council's actions should both indicate the international
community's firm position, and help create conditions for a peaceful solution to
the DPRK nuclear issue through dialogue, Liu said.
"China resolutely opposes the DPRK's nuclear test, insists on the
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, objects to nuclear proliferation and
insists on the peaceful settlement of the issue through dialogue," Liu said.
Based on this position, China actively participated in the consultations on a
draft version of the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council, he said.
"We appeal to concerned parties to keep calm and be cool-headed, take a
prudent and responsible attitude to jointly prevent the situation from worsening
and break the stalemate, so as to resume the process of the Six-Party Talks as
soon as possible," Liu said.
The resolution, co-sponsored by the United States and eight other nations,
condemned the DPRK's claimed nuclear test, and demanded that the DPRK eliminate
its nuclear weapons and nuclear programmes.
The resolution allows nations to stop cargo going to and from the DPRK to
check for weapons of mass destruction or related supplies.
It bars trade with Pyongyang in dangerous weapons and also imposes bans on
heavy conventional weapons and luxury goods. It also asks nations to freeze
funds connected with the DPRK's non-conventional arms programmes.
The draft also welcomes and encourages further efforts by all countries
concerned to intensify their diplomatic efforts, refrain from any actions that
might aggravate tension, and facilitate the early resumption of the Six-Party
Talks aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.
Wang Guangya, China's ambassador to the UN, said after the voting on the
resolution at the UN headquarters in New York that the resolution is a "firm and
appropriate" response to Pyongyang's claimed nuclear test.
Wang reiterated that sanctions were not an end in themselves. "China did not
approve of the practice of inspecting cargo to and from the DPRK, and had
reservations about related provisions of the resolution."
"China still believes that the Six-Party Talks are the realistic means of
handling the issue," Wang said. "It is also firmly opposed to the use of force."
Pyongyang expresses anger
The DPRK immediately rejected the resolution, and its UN Ambassador Pak
Gil-yon walked out of the council chamber after accusing its members of a
"gangster-like" action that neglects the nuclear threat posed by the United
States.
In Washington, US President George W Bush told reporters he welcomed the
resolution, describing it as "swift and tough." He said this showed that "we are
united in our determination to see to it that the Korean Peninsula is
nuclear-weapons free."
Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Moscow got what it wanted a strong
resolution but one that is also aimed at "prevention of a further escalation of
tension."
In Tokyo, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso in a statement also welcomed the
UN move. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said yesterday Japan would
contemplate slapping additional sanctions on the DPRK in line with the
resolution.
