China urges UN Security Council to back plans to ease North Korean sanctions
- Chances for breakthrough in talks fading after Pyongyang conducted tests at missile sites and warned Washington to choose what ‘Christmas gift’ it wanted
- Beijing’s plan, submitted jointly with Russia, would see some export curbs lifted in move intended to ‘balance’ different sides’ concerns
China has called on the UN Security Council to agree to a draft resolution to ease sanctions on North Korea.
It said its proposal, jointly submitted with Russia, aimed to address all parties’ concerns to help nuclear talks resume.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Tuesday that Beijing sought to break the current deadlock and avoid setbacks on the Korean peninsula.
“We stand for a balanced addressing of all parties’ concerns, especially [North Korea’s] rightful and reasonable concerns regarding its security and development,” Geng said.
He said the US and North Korea should “respect each other’s concerns and show some flexibility and sincerity … resume dialogue and contact, break the ice and prevent the dialogue getting derailed”.
Geng added that China hoped the Security Council would speak with one voice and “take the historical responsibility” to support the draft since the need for a resolution was becoming more urgent.