CHINA / National

China tables UN statement on Korea missile launch
(chinadaily.com.cn/Agencies)
Updated: 2006-07-11 08:44

China, supported by Russia, submitted its own draft U.N. Security Council statement on North Korea on Monday, fearing a Japan-drafted resolution imposing sanctions might be eventually used to lay the groundwork for military action on Pyongyang.

However, the United States, Britain and Japan opposed China's statement as the Security Council put off council action to allow a high-level Chinese delegation to talk to Pyongyang, Reuters reported.

Beijing introduced its statement on Pyongyang's missile launch, calling for an early resumption of the six-party talks.

Chinese Ambassador to the UN Wang Guangya speaks after a meeting of the UN Security Council at the United Nations in New York, July 10, 2006.
Chinese Ambassador to the UN Wang Guangya speaks after a meeting of the UN Security Council at the United Nations in New York, July 10, 2006. [Reuters]

The missile launches by the DPRK "caused negative implications to the regional peace and stability," said the draft. The statement called on the DPRK "to cease the development, testing, deployment and proliferation of ballistic missiles and return to its moratorium on missile launching."

China's U.N. ambassador, Wang Guangya, told reporters after another round of council consultations the Japan-drafted resolution branding Pyongyang a threat to international peace and security "could be used by member states to take actions which could make the situation even worse."

Asked if he meant military action, Wang said, "certainly."

Wang earlier indicated he could support a "modified resolution" but he did not elaborate, and instead produced the draft statement, which is not legally binding.

Japan's resolution invokes Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which makes it mandatory for all U.N. members and in certain circumstances lays the groundwork for future military force.

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has kicked off a six-day visit to Pyongyang.

"The traditional friendship between China and North Korea has withstood the tests of history and its tribulations," Hui said in a speech in Pyongyang, according to Xinhua news agency.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she hoped Beijing could persuade North Korea to return to the six-party talks on its nuclear program, which include North and South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.

The United States also wants Pyongyang to return to a moratorium on its missile launches.

"We do think that the Chinese mission to North Korea has some promise and we would like to let that play out," Rice told reporters in Washington.

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