China underscores equal implementation of UN resolution on DPRK

BEIJING - China on Monday called for a fair and balanced execution of the UN resolution against Pyongyang, adding that the responsibility to do so does not stop with China.

"The UN Security Council resolution should be implemented by the whole international community and not just one country," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei at a daily press conference.

Hong made the remarks after being asked if the major responsibility lies with China since about 90 percent of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) trade volume is from China.

Resolution 2270, which was unanimously adopted by the 15-country council on March 2, requires states to inspect all cargo going to and from the DPRK. It imposes an asset freeze on all funds and other economic resources owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the DPRK government or by the Workers' Party of Korea, if they are found to be associated with its nuclear or ballistic missile programs or any other prohibited activities.

The resolution also calls for the resumption of the six-party talks, a multilateral dialog mechanism brokered by China, which was designed to facilitate a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

The talks, which involve China, the DPRK, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, stalled in late 2008.

"The resolution aims to curb the DPRK's nuclear and missile plan without affecting the people's livelihood and humanitarian needs. It also calls for the resumption of the six-party talks to ease the situation through political and diplomatic ways. This is the fundamental solution of the Korean nuclear issue," Hong said.

He added that the resolution, therefore, should be implemented in a comprehensive and balanced way without deliberately highlighting one aspect or neglecting others.

The spokesperson reaffirmed that China will implement the resolution seriously and comprehensively. All parties should also abide by it with concrete and comprehensive actions, including playing a positive role in restarting the talks and avoiding actions that may intensify the tense situation, he added.