China on Friday said it opposes unilateral sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), for efforts to avoid complicating the situation.
"China is against any unilateral sanction in international affairs," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said at a press briefing in response to possible U.S. sanctions against the DPRK.
The U.S. House of Representatives recently proposed sanctions against countries, businesses or individuals that assist DPRK nuclear and ballistic missile programs, export luxury goods to the DPRK or engage with Pyongyang in money laundering, counterfeiting or drug trafficking.
"The United Nations Security Council is discussing a resolution on the recent DPRK nuclear test," Lu said. "We hope parties concerned can meet each other halfway, and avoid complicating the situation."
When asked whether China will take "more serious" moves against the DPRK, Lu said China's Special Representative on the Korean Peninsular affairs Wu Dawei's visit to Pyongyang was "a very serious diplomatic effort."
Wu returned from Pyongyang Thursday after a three-day visit, during which he met with DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong and First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan, and held talks with Vice Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho.
China' Foreign Ministry said the consultation focused on China-DPRK relations and the situation on the peninsula.
Tensions on the peninsula have escalated since the DPRK claimed it conducted a hydrogen bomb test on Jan. 6.
On Tuesday, the DPRK informed three UN entities of its intention to launch an earth-observation satellite between Feb. 8 and 25.
