China backs 'further response' to DPRK nuclear test

Beijing supports the United Nations Security Council in "making a further response" to the latest and largest nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in September, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

"China is resolutely opposed to the DPRK's nuclear tests," Geng Shuang told a regular news briefing in Beijing. Geng reiterated China's stance on realizing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, safeguarding its peace and stability and resolving issues through dialogue and negotiation.

Geng made the comments in response to foreign news agencies' reports on Wednesday that the United States and China had agreed on new UN sanctions against Pyongyang.

"It is our understanding that the Security Council members are now in consultation on a relevant draft resolution," Geng said.

On Wednesday, an unnamed senior Security Council diplomat was quoted by Reuters as saying that the proposed resolution was recently given to the remaining three permanent council members with veto powers — Britain, France and Russia.

Wang Junsheng, a researcher of Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said he believed the latest resolution will be tougher than previous resolutions that the body has approved in an effort to curb the DPRK's nuclear and missile programs.

It will probably include new items for sanctions, Wang added.

The 15-nation council has adopted five resolutions after nuclear tests conducted by the DPRK.

In the most recent resolution on March 2, the Security Council pledged to take "further significant measures" if the DPRK conducted another nuclear test.

Wang added that if the new resolution is approved, "the move will show that the international community is taking a united stance against the DPRK developing nuclear weapons and will help deter such efforts".

The proposed resolution would close loopholes from the council's March measures, both Reuters and Agence France-Presse reported.

Both reports speculated that coal exports from the DPRK would be targeted.

Contact the writers at zhaohuanxin@chinadaily.com.cn