Advertisement
China says lifting some sanctions on North Korea is best way to ease tensions
- US envoy Stephen Biegun due in Beijing for talks after appeal to Pyongyang went unanswered
- Russia and China have proposed sanctions relief to UN Security Council, in which US holds a veto
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
China has touted its proposal offering sanctions relief to North Korea as the best option to defuse tensions, calling on Thursday for a compromise in the stand-off between Washington and Pyongyang over the latter’s nuclear and missiles programmes.
The proposal, made jointly with Russia on Monday, calls on the UN Security Council to lift some sanctions on exports and foreign workers to “break the deadlock” in the stalled talks between Pyongyang and Washington.
“This is the best plan in the current situation to resolve the stalemate in the denuclearisation of North Korea and for its peace and stability,” Foreign Vice-Minister Luo Zhaohui told reporters, adding that a political solution was still achievable despite a recent rise in tensions.
Advertisement
The comments come with the US special envoy for North Korea Stephen Biegun set to arrive in the Chinese capital on Thursday for talks.
The US holds veto power in the 15-member council and remains opposed to any sanctions relief, however, making the China-Russia resolution unlikely to go through.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x