China said on Thursday its normal trade with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) does not violate relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks in response to a question regarding the trade growth between the two countries in the first quarter of the year.
"China has always fully, accurately and seriously implemented relevant UN Security Council resolutions," Geng said, urging parties concerned not to confuse the UN Security Council's sanctions on the DPRK with comprehensive economic sanctions.
While answering a question about the DPRK's iron and iron ore exports to China, Geng said such exports were for civilian purposes and did not contribute financially to the DPRK's nuclear program, and are free from the UN's sanctions.
China remains resolute and clear in its position on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Geng said, adding the country will continue to fully, strictly and seriously implement UN resolutions on the DPRK.
