China hopes the United Nations Security Council's latest move can help peacefully solve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said yesterday. [Full coverage on N.Korea nuclear crisis]

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Chirkin (L) and Chinese Ambassador to the U.N. Wang Guangya shake hands before a Security Council vote at the U.N. headquarters in New York October 14, 2006. [Reuters]

His remarks came shortly after the Council unanimously adopted a resolution against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) over its claimed nuclear test last Monday.

China maintains the Council's actions should both indicate the international community's firm position, and help create conditions for a peaceful solution to the DPRK nuclear issue through dialogue, Liu said.

"China resolutely opposes the DPRK's nuclear test, insists on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, objects to nuclear proliferation and insists on the peaceful settlement of the issue through dialogue," Liu said.

Based on this position, China actively participated in the consultations on a draft version of the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council, he said.

"We appeal to concerned parties to keep calm and be cool-headed, take a prudent and responsible attitude to jointly prevent the situation from worsening and break the stalemate, so as to resume the process of the Six-Party Talks as soon as possible," Liu said.

The resolution, co-sponsored by the United States and eight other nations, condemned the DPRK's claimed nuclear test, and demanded that the DPRK eliminate its nuclear weapons and nuclear programmes.

The resolution allows nations to stop cargo going to and from the DPRK to check for weapons of mass destruction or related supplies.

It bars trade with Pyongyang in dangerous weapons and also imposes bans on heavy conventional weapons and luxury goods. It also asks nations to freeze funds connected with the DPRK's non-conventional arms programmes.

The draft also welcomes and encourages further efforts by all countries concerned to intensify their diplomatic efforts, refrain from any actions that might aggravate tension, and facilitate the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.

Wang Guangya, China's ambassador to the UN, said after the voting on the resolution at the UN headquarters in New York that the resolution is a "firm and appropriate" response to Pyongyang's claimed nuclear test.

Wang reiterated that sanctions were not an end in themselves. "China did not approve of the practice of inspecting cargo to and from the DPRK, and had reservations about related provisions of the resolution."

"China still believes that the Six-Party Talks are the realistic means of handling the issue," Wang said. "It is also firmly opposed to the use of force."

Pyongyang expresses anger

The DPRK immediately rejected the resolution, and its UN Ambassador Pak Gil-yon walked out of the council chamber after accusing its members of a "gangster-like" action that neglects the nuclear threat posed by the United States.

In Washington, US President George W Bush told reporters he welcomed the resolution, describing it as "swift and tough." He said this showed that "we are united in our determination to see to it that the Korean Peninsula is nuclear-weapons free."

Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Moscow got what it wanted a strong resolution but one that is also aimed at "prevention of a further escalation of tension."

In Tokyo, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso in a statement also welcomed the UN move. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said yesterday Japan would contemplate slapping additional sanctions on the DPRK in line with the resolution.